The pope announces he will step down on February 28 because of his failing health. TODAY's Matt Lauer speaks with NBC's Claudio Lavanga in Rome, who says the resignation "came as a shock," and George Weigel, NBC New Vatican consultant.
By Claudio Lavanga and Alastair Jamieson, NBC News
Updated at 7:17 a.m. ET: ROME -- Pope Benedict XVI announced Monday he will resign on February 28 as leader of the world's 1.2 billion Roman Catholics, saying he no longer has the strength to carry out his duties.
The 85-year-old announced his decision during an address, in Latin, at the "Concistory for the canonization of the martyrs of Otranto", a small event held early in the morning.
The decision, which took even the Vatican hierarchy by surprise, makes him the first pope to resign since the Middle Ages.
His statement was posted on the Vatican Radio website.
Carrying out the duties of being pope required "both strength of mind and body," it said.
"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," the pontiff's statement said.
The choice was a "decision of great importance" for the church, the statement added.
There are several papal contenders in the wings, but no obvious front-runner, The Associated Press reported.
Greg Burke, senior communications adviser to the Holy See, confirmed the pope will step down on February 28 at 8 p.m. local time (2 p.m. ET), leaving the office vacant until a successor is chosen.
Luke Coppen, editor of UK newspaper The Catholic Herald, told the Daily Telegraph: "Pope Benedict’s pontificate has been full of surprises. This is the biggest one of all."
Born in Bavaria, Germany in 1927, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger became the 265th pope in April 2005, describing himself "a simple, humble worker in the vineyard of the Lord."
His tough stance on theological issues had earned him the nickname "God's rottweiler"
The last pope to step aside was Gregory XII in 1415, who did so in order to end the Great Western Schism. The last papal abdication was in Celestine V in 1294. T
his is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates or visit BreakingNews.com.
Related:
_ From prisoner of war to pontiff: A timeline of Benedict XVI's life
_ The path to an American pope? Cardinal's elevation gives US clout at Vatican
_ Full Vatican coverage from NBC News
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