Pope

Pope

Citing old age and disability, Pope Benedict XVI surprised the Catholic world on Monday, saying that he resign on 28 February after less than eight years in office, the first Pope to the six centuries.

After the examination of conscience, "God," he said in a statement that the world is echoed in the Internet and social media, "I have come to the certainty that my strengths as a result of old age, not better suited to sufficient movement" in his position as head of billion Catholics in the world.

The deeply conservative figure, whose papacy was overshadowed by the church abuse scandals, Benedict, 85, was elected fellow of the Cardinals in 2005 after the death of John Paul II.

The Rev. Federico Lombardi, the Vatican spokesman said the Pope will continue to perform his duties until 28 February, and that the successor is chosen Easter, which falls on 31 March. But, he added, the timing of the election of the new pope "is not an application, it is a hypothesis."

Although health issues were Benedict, the timing of the announcement shook the world, despite the fact that in the past supported the idea that the Pope could resign incapacitated.