(From our archive)
Sad news from the Vatican. Pope Benedict XVI decided to resign from office. The pontificate is due to end on February 28, 2013. Regret that from the function of the head of the Church leaves a man who at least tried to mention to the beautiful tradition of the Church, awakening in people the love for the pre-compartment Mass.
One can only regret that not all things have been brought to an end. I surely regret that there was no final agreement between the Vatican and the Brotherhood of St Pius X. Will the fresh Pope besides have specified good will to even resume talks, or there will be an even greater crack, to the detriment – unfortunately – of the Roman Catholic Church.
Benedict XVI announced his decision to resign during the average consistory. The following is the message Benedict XVI made to the College of Cardinals:
“Dear Brothers, I have called you to this consistory not only due to the 3 canonizations, but besides to communicate to you the decision of large importance for the life of the Church. After considering the many times in my conscience before God, I was assured that my strength was no longer adequate due to the old age to decently service Peter. I am full aware that this ministry in its spiritual being should be fulfilled not only by deeds and words, but not little by suffering and prayer. However, in order to direct St Peter's boat and preach the Gospel in today's world, subject to fast change and agitated by matters of large importance for the life of faith, it is essential to have the strength of both the body and the spirit, which has weakened in me in fresh months, so that I must admit my inability to do the service entrusted to me well. Therefore, full aware of the seriousness of this act, with full freedom, I declare that I resign from the ministry of the Bishop of Rome, the Successor of Peter, entrusted to me by the Cardinals on 19 April 2005, so that from 28 February 2013 from 20.00 a.m. the Roman capital, the Capital of Saint Peter, will be released (sede vacante), and it will be essential for those who have the powers to do so to call a conclave for the election of the fresh Pope.
Dear Brothers, I thank you sincerely for all the love and work through which you have borne with me the burden of my service, and I ask you to forgive all my imperfections. Now we entrust the Holy Church to the care of the Most advanced Shepherd, our Lord Jesus Christ, and we beseech His Blessed parent Mary to assist with her motherly goodness of the Cardinals' Fathers in the election of a fresh Pope. As far as I am concerned, in the future I will besides want to service with all my heart, all my devoted life to the Holy Church of God.
Vatican, 10 February 2013"
Text originally published on our portal in February 2013.
