Pope Benedict XVI Resigns; First Abdication in 600 Years

— Photo Courtesy of Salon.cm —

Stating that he no longer has the strength to lead the worlds Catholics, Pope Benedict XVI, has given his notice that he will resign from the papacy at the end of the month before his 86th birthday.This is the first such abdication in almost 600 years.

“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,”  Pope Benedict, the 265th leader of the Roman Catholic Church said today in an address to senior church officials in Rome. Read more for details.