Pope Benedict XVI to renounce as the head of the Catholic Church

February 15, 2013

Pope Benedict XVI has announced that he would resign at the end of this month after as the head of the Catholic Church citing old age and poor health to continue.

It is the first papal resignation in nearly 600 years. The new pope is expected to be elected before Easter. Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger became Pope in 2005 after John Paul II’s death.

The last Pope who resigned was Pope Gregory XII, who stepped aside in 1415 amid a schism within the Church.

« Previous Post Next Post »