Rome (CNN) -- Pope Benedict will resign on February 28, his spokesman Father Federico Lombardi told CNN Monday.
Lombardi did not give a reason for the resignation.

"The pope announced that he will leave his ministry at 8:00pm (local time) on February 28," said the spokesman, Federico Lombardi. More to come.

"In the final persecution of the Holy Roman Church there will reign Petrus Romanus, who will feed his flock amid many tribulations; after which the seven-hilled city will be destroyed and the dreadful Judge will judge the people. The End." 

POPE Benedict XVI says he will resign on February 28 because his age prevents him from carrying out his duties, an unprecedented move in the modern history of the Catholic Church.

He is the first pontiff to do so in nearly 600 years and the decision sets the stage for a conclave to elect a new Pope before the end of March.

Originally posted by magma
reply to post by theAnswer1111

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Who will take his place?

It will have to be one of the Kardashians, surely...

Originally posted by Dark Ghost
An alternative link can be found here

POPE Benedict XVI says he will resign on February 28 because his age prevents him from carrying out his duties, an unprecedented move in the modern history of the Catholic Church.

He is the first pontiff to do so in nearly 600 years and the decision sets the stage for a conclave to elect a new Pope before the end of March.

I wonder why Adolfo Nicolas ordered him to step down?

edit on 11/2/2013 by Dark Ghost because: added extract