Pope resigns after only eight years

by Andrew McArthur

Pope Benedict XVI has announced that he will resign his position at the end of February.

Benedict will be the first head of the catholic church to give up the office in nearly 600 years. The last to do so was Gregory XII, who stepped down amid a crisis in leadership within the vatican.

Benedict gave his reasons for stepping down in a statement saying that he has become too old and infirm to continue on in the role:

 "For this reason, and well aware of the seriousness of this act, with full freedom I declare that I renounce the ministry of Bishop of Rome, Successor of Saint Peter, entrusted to me by the cardinals on 19 April 2005, in such a way, that as from 28 February 2013, at 20:00 hours, the See of Rome, the See of Saint Peter, will be vacant and a conclave to elect the new Supreme Pontiff will have to be convoked by those whose competence it is."

Joseph Ratzinger was elected for his pontificate eight years ago following the death of John Paul II. Originally seen as a strong hand, he was tasked with handling the scandal of child abuse by priests within the church.

It is expected that a new pope will be elected by Easter.