Pope announces shock resignation in historic move
- Published: 11 Feb 2013 at 18.44
- Online news: World
Pope Benedict XVI has announced he will resign this month because of his advancing age in a fast-changing world, becoming the first pontiff in 700 years to step down of his own free will.
Pope Benedict XVI speaks from the window of his private apartment during angelus prayer in St. Peter square at the Vatican on January 15, 2012. He announced he will resign this month because of his advancing age in a fast-changing world, becoming the first pontiff in 700 years to step down of his own free will.
The 85-year-old said he will step down on February 28 after just eight years in office, making his one of the shortest pontificates in modern history and stunning the world's 1.1 billion Catholics.
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