{"id":11006,"date":"2013-02-11T16:37:39","date_gmt":"2013-02-11T20:37:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com\/blog\/?p=11006"},"modified":"2026-05-04T20:52:37","modified_gmt":"2026-05-05T03:52:37","slug":"frail-pope-breaks-tradition-and-resigns","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com\/blog\/frail-pope-breaks-tradition-and-resigns\/","title":{"rendered":"Frail Pope Breaks Tradition and Resigns"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By RACHEL DONADIO<\/strong>
New York Times<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

VATICAN CITY \u2014 Citing advanced years and infirmity, but showing characteristic tough-mindedness and unpredictability, Pope Benedict XVI<\/a> shocked Roman Catholics on Monday by saying that he would resign on Feb. 28, becoming the first pope to do so in six centuries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking in Latin to a small gathering of cardinals at the Vatican<\/a> on Monday morning, Benedict said that after examining his conscience \u201cbefore God, I have come to the certainty that my strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise\u201d of leading the world\u2019s one billion Roman Catholics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The statement, soon translated into seven languages, ricocheted around the globe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A shy, tough-minded theologian who seemed to relish writing books more than greeting stadium crowds, Benedict, 85, was elected by fellow cardinals in 2005 after the death of John Paul II. An often divisive figure, he spent much of his papacy in the shadow of his beloved predecessor. Click here<\/a> to continue reading.<\/p>\n\n\n\n