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Pope Benedict XVI resigns effective February 28
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February 11, 2013
Original URL: http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/Pope_Benedict_XVI_resigns_effective_February_28



Earlier today, the Vatican announced that Pope Benedict XVI plans to
step down from his position as leader of the Roman Catholic Church
effective February 28.

The Pope gave reasons in a statement: "After having repeatedly examined
my conscience before God, I have come to the certainty that my
strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate
exercise of the Petrine ministry."

Reports of the news appeared quickly on Spanish and French language
television.  The Vatican had not immediately updated their website with
the news.  There will be a press conference this afternoon where
additional details will be provided.

The news quickly became a trending topic on Twitter in Spain, France and
Italy.  Within a half hour of the news being released, it had become a
trending topic world wide.

Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger became Pope aged 78 in 2005 after the death of
John Paul II.

== Sources == 

* http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/feb/11/pope-resigns-live-reaction
* http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-21411304
* http://in.reuters.com/article/2013/02/11/pope-benedict-resignation-vatican-idINDEE91A08L20130211



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