Pope Benedict XVI to Step Down for Health Reasons

The Holy Father Pope Benedict today announced that he will step down on February 28 of this year due to health reasons.

4:37PM UPDATE (This page will be updated throughout the day)

• Pope Benedict’s resignation will set in motion period of transition
• Full text of the Holy Father’s resignation announcement
• CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE: Citing health reasons, Pope Benedict announces he will resign
• RI CATHOLIC:  Bishop ‘stunned’ by Papal resignation (Inc;udes video of this morning’s press conference)
• Statement of Bishop Tobin
• Pope Benedict’s resignation will set in motion period of transition

Send a message to the Holy Father

Statement of Bishop Tobin:

I was stunned by the news that our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI will resign his office at the end of the month. He is a man of great wisdom and holiness and he has given everything – his heart and mind, his soul and strength – to the difficult task of leading the Church.

Our Holy Father’s resignation is, I believe, an act of great humility for he understands that the needs of the Church are greater than his own; that ultimately the well-being of the Church is in God’s hands, not the Pope’s.

I will pray in gratitude for Pope Benedict’s service and also that our Holy Father will now enjoy a time of rest and prayer that he so richly deserves.

In that spirit, I am also pleased to announce that there will be a Solemn Mass of Thanksgiving for the Ministry of Pope Benedict XVI at this Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul on Thursday, February 28^th at 12:00 Noon, the final day of our Holy Father’s ministry.

May God bless Pope Benedict!