Latest news and reaction to Pope Benedict's announcement that he is to resign
Storified by The Tablet ·
Mon, Feb 11 2013 10:47:23
18:37 That's the end of our live blogging for today - check back for more online coverage tomorrow, and future coverage of the conclave and election.
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18:27 Time to brush up on Latin! Journalist who broke news of Pope's resignation scooped other media because she understood Pope Benedict's statement:
Italian news agency broke Pope resignation story as its reporter can speak Latin
Pope Benedict makes his shock announcement (Picture: EPA) An Italian news agency broke the news of the Pope's resignation as one of its r...
18:12 US President Barack Obama praises Pope Benedict and "warmly" remembers their meeting
Obama praises Pope Benedict XVI
President Obama praised Pope Benedict XVI on Monday, just hours after the pontiff announced his resignation. "On behalf of Americans...
18:00 Another one to watch: Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle is titular-archpriest of the Church of Saint Felix of Cantalice at Centocelle and de facto Primate of the Philippines. He is well known for being a charismatic and conservative leader who emphasises work for the poor.
17:58 One to watch: Cardinal Onaiyekan is the Archbishop of Abuja and one of the strongest African candidates. Pope Benedict appointed Cardinal Onaiyekan to serve as a Member of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Fath (CDF) and as a Member of the Presidential Committee of the Pontifical Council for the Family.
He was named Pax Christi International's 2012 Peace Laureate
TRAFFICKING CONFERENCE ·
Catholic Church (England and Wales)
17:50 Two of the newest cardinals - created by Pope Benedict in the last consistory - are "papabile" - Nigerian Cardinal John Olorunfemi Onaiyekan and Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle - more on both to follow...
17:47 Pope Benedict XVI's elder brother - with whom he is very close - has said that the Pope had been considering resignation for months, and that his age was weighing on him - more here:
The Tablet - New Pope expected by Easter, brother says Benedict XVI wants 'more rest'
New Pope expected by Easter, brother says Benedict XVI wants 'more rest'
17:42 Picture of Pope Benedict at the tomb of St Celestine V - the last Pope who resigned. The picture was taken in 2010 when Pope Benedict left his pallium on the tomb... a hint at what was to come?
carlosechevarria.blogspot.com
17:35 The Archbishop of Cardiff, George Stack, has said that Pope Benedict's decision showed "great courage and humility":
Statement in full:
“I
share the surprise of people all over the world at the news of the resignation
of Pope Benedict XVI from the Petrine Office.
I am sure that many will recognise it to be a decision of great courage
and humility, made with characteristic clarity of mind and action.
I
ask people of faith both within the Catholic Church and outside it to keep Pope
Benedict in their prayers. Although
physical frailty has caused him to make this decision, his spiritual strength
continues to witness to his faith and in the Lord Jesus whom he has served so
faithfully throughout his life. He will
continue to serve the Church through the sacrifice of his prayers.”
17:20 Full statement from the Bishop of Portsmouth Philip Egan:
I am personally very sad at this news but as a Bishop with all it entails I can completely understand the Holy Father’s reason. It is many centuries since a Pope resigned from office and this will be a new situation for the world’s 1.2 billion Catholics.
The Diocese of Portsmouth is full of gratitude to God for all we have received from Pope Benedict XVI.
We pray for him and for his health and we ask the Lord for His grace and guidance for the Church. We pray for the man who will be called next to fulfil the office of Peter given to us by Christ.
+Philip
16:54 A helpful piece from Zenit on the make up of the conclave that will vote for the new Pope: there will be 117 members on the day Pope Benedict's resignation becomes official:
61 Europeans
19 Latin Americans
14 North Americans
11 Africans
11 Asians
... and one from Oceania
Who Will Vote for the Next Pope? | ZENIT - The World Seen From Rome
The conclave that will elect Benedict XVI's successor will have 117 members on the day his resignation becomes official, at the end of th...
16:50 An important distinction!
Seeing some funny tweets. So you know, "Viva La Papa" means long live the potato. "Viva El Papa" means long live the Pope.
— Steven Ertelt ·
Mon, Feb 11 2013 08:47:55
16:41 44 per cent of cardinals are over 80 and therefore ineligible to vote
16:33 Video of Prime Minister David Cameron paying tribute to Pope Benedict XVI
RT @BBCPolitics: VIDEO: Cameron pays tribute to the Pope http://bbc.in/Y6x9XS
— BBC News WO Football ·
Mon, Feb 11 2013 08:31:20
16:26 In January two senior prelates in the Catholic Church - the prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) Archbishop Gerhard Ludwig Müller, and the president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity Cardinal Kurt Koch - said in separate interviews that the future of the Church “does not lie in Europe”.
Archbishop Müller said: “I know a number of bishops and cardinals from Latin America who could take responsibility for the entire world Church.”
16:21 The Wall Street Journal has a handy Papal Q&A on their website - a legal guide to Papal resignation. According to the WSJ Benedict XVI would technically retain the title, Bishop of Rome Emeritus.
WSJ: A Legal Guide To Papal Resignation http://on.wsj.com/Y6pBo8
— Jacob Gershman ·
Mon, Feb 11 2013 07:55:39
16:18 Pope Benedict's decision to resign means he won't be attending World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro -
Words of #B16 #Rio2013 #JMJ http://pic.twitter.com/62W3L8Ba ·
WYD English