Announcement of Pope Benedict XVI's resignation

[Pathfinder]

DECLARATIO​

Dear Brothers,
I have convoked you to this Consistory, not only for the three canonizations, but also to communicate to you a decision of great importance for the life of the Church. 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 Petrineministry. I am well aware that this ministry, due to its essential spiritual nature, must be carried out not only with words and deeds, but no less with prayer and suffering. However, 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 recognize my incapacity to adequately fulfill 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 convoked by those whose competence it is.
Dear Brothers, I thank you most sincerely for all the love and work with which you have supported me in my ministry and I ask pardon for all my defects. And now, 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 Cardinal Fathers with her maternal solicitude, in electing a new Supreme Pontiff. With regard to myself, I wish to also devotedly serve the Holy Church of God in the future through a life dedicated to prayer.
From the Vatican, 10 February 2013

BENEDICTUS PP XVI​

? Copyright 2013 - Libreria Editrice Vaticana​

http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/b...ts/hf_ben-xvi_spe_20130211_declaratio_en.html​

Announcement of Pope Benedict XVI's resignation​

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exSZqcQ3YZw​

 

[Pathfinder]

Re: Announcement of Pope Benedict XVI's resignation

BENEDICT XVI
GENERAL AUDIENCE
Saint Peter's Square
Wednesday, 27 February 2013
[Video]​

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

I offer a warm and affectionate greeting to the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors who have joined me for this, my last General Audience. Like Saint Paul, whose words we heard earlier, my heart is filled with thanksgiving to God who ever watches over his Church and her growth in faith and love, and I embrace all of you with joy and gratitude.

During this Year of Faith, we have been called to renew our joyful trust in the Lord?s presence in our lives and in the life of the Church. I am personally grateful for his unfailing love and guidance in the eight years since I accepted his call to serve as the Successor of Peter. I am also deeply grateful for the understanding, support and prayers of so many of you, not only here in Rome, but also throughout the world.

The decision I have made, after much prayer, is the fruit of a serene trust in God?s will and a deep love of Christ?s Church. I will continue to accompany the Church with my prayers, and I ask each of you to pray for me and for the new Pope. In union with Mary and all the saints, let us entrust ourselves in faith and hope to God, who continues to watch over our lives and to guide the journey of the Church and our world along the paths of history.
I commend all of you, with great affection, to his loving care, asking him to strengthen you in the hope which opens our hearts to the fullness of life that he alone can give. To you and your families, I impart my blessing. Thank you!

? Copyright 2013 - Libreria Editrice Vaticana​

http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/b...013/documents/hf_ben-xvi_aud_20130227_en.html​

 

[Pathfinder]

Re: Announcement of Pope Benedict XVI's resignation

Benedict pledges obedience to his successor

2013-02-28 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) ?Among you, among the College of Cardinals, there is also the future Pope, to whom, here today, I already promise my unconditional reverence and obedience.?

Those were Pope Benedict?s words on Thursday morning to his closest advisors, gathered in the Vatican?s Clementine Hall for a final greeting, just hours ahead of his retirement and the end of his pontificate at 8pm, Rome time.

- See more at: http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-benedict-pledges-obedience-to-his-successor#sthash.WqY89HGk.dpuf

 

[Pathfinder]

Re: Announcement of Pope Benedict XVI's resignation

Pope Benedict XVI's final tweet

</HEADER>(Vatican Radio) Pope Benedict XVI arrived at Castel Gandolfo after a 15 minute helicopter ride over the rooftops of Rome. But before taking his leave of the men and women, officials and lay staff in the Vatican's Apostolic Palace, with whom he shared his daily life and his mission over the past eight years, he had time for one more tweet to his many followers worldwide, it was his parting message:

"Thank you for your love and support. May you always experience the joy that comes from putting Christ at the centre of your lives".
...
http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-benedict-xvis-final-tweet#sthash.NemTnxUb.dpuf

 

[sharon sanders]

Re: Announcement of Pope Benedict XVI's resignation

Then the Vatican erased all of his tweets. ??

https://twitter.com/Pontifex