Pope Benedict XVI announces surprise resignation

Dust off your resumes, cardinals, because there's a very big job about to open up. Pope Benedict XVI has announced his resignation, becoming the first pope to step down since Pope Gregory XII did in 1415. The 85-year-old announced his decision in Latin this morning at a meeting of Vatican cardinals. "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," he said. Benedict, formerly known as Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, was appointed in 2005 following the death of Pope John Paul II. He will resign on Feb. 28. [Source]

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