Papal resignation - Statement from Benedict XVI
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 Petrine ministry. 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.
Pope Benedict XVI Sends First Tweet Watch Video 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 bark 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 fulfil 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
Latest News
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8

IL lawmaker removes name from gambling expansion bill
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - The longtime promoter of expanding Illinois gambling has taken his name from a bill over "perceived conflict of interest" with his law firm. In a stateme...

Man convicted for molesting child
A north county man is headed to jail after a jury convicted him of molesting a child. Richard Williams was found guilty of five charges in all. Williams molested the child, who wa...

Former Rep. Todd Akin to speak in North County this wee…
Controversial politician Todd Akin is in North County to speak at a Republican club's monthly meeting. He will be speak at Yacovelli's Thursday night at 7:30. The event is open to...

Few details after fatal overnight shooting
Still very little information after a man was shot and killed in north St. Louis this morning. Police say they found 20-year-old Jermaine Johnson on the street near the city's bor...

Gov. Quinn throws support behind fracking expansion
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Gov. Pat Quinn says he hopes a bill that would kick-start high-volume oil and gas drilling passes "swiftly" through the Illinois House and Senate after a H...

Missouri juveniles in prison for life, still face uncer…
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - Prison sentences for Missouri juveniles convicted of first-degree murder remain uncertain because lawmakers did not pass a new sentencing scheme before a...

Work stalled at Bridgeton Landfill; additional police t…
For a second day, heavy rainfall has delayed the start of a project at the Bridgeton Landfill. But when work begins to get rid of an odor coming from the landfill--homeowners ...

Tea Party members protest at local IRS office
Blowback against the IRS is becoming more local. Fox 2 reports that members of the Tea Party are holding a rally outside an IRS Office in Town and Country. The protesters are upse...