The Bishop of Rome renounces the See of Saint Peter as of 28 February 2013

On the morning of 11 February 2013, Pope Benedict XVI announced his forthcoming voluntary abdication from the papal throne.

"...in today's world, subject to so many rapid changes and shaken by questions of deep relevance for the life of faith, in order to govern the barque of Saint Peter and proclaim the Gospel, both strength of mind and body are necessary, strength which in the last few months has deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognise my incapacity to fulfil adequately the ministry entrusted to me.

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 convened.

...let us entrust the Holy Church to the care of our Supreme Pastor, our Lord Jesus Christ, and implore his holy Mother Mary, so that she may assist the Cardinals with her maternal solicitude in electing a new Supreme Pontiff...".

It is hard to judge, but this may well have been the worst decision in the entire history of the Church.

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The Bishop of Rome renounces the See of Saint Peter as of 28 February 2013

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