Home // February 11-15 2013 > 'My strengths are no longer suited to the Petrine ministry'

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'My strengths are no longer suited to the Petrine ministry'

Published: February 11, 2013


The full statement from Pope 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.

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

FULL STORY Pope announces retirement (ABC)

 

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Recent Comments

  1. One can but feel for Pope Benedict in making this decision.
    I am of a similar age to him and fully appreciate the difficulty he would have in dealing with the many conflicting and challenging voices in the church today.
    A wise decision which will mark him in history. He will go down as a true pontiff and I wish him well and will keep him in my prayers.
    We pray that the Cardinals chose well his successor.

    Posted By: Ken Fuller

  2. Benedict 16th has been a very good leader.
    Thanks be to God
    A very successful pontificate under difficult circumstances. There is nothing new. The circumstances are and will always remain difficult and challenging. St Peter in heaven will be happy to agree with that.
    The Chair of St Peter is on solid rock, something that the world desperately needs. May the hand of the Holy Spirit be on the shoulder of the man waiting to become the next pope.
    Thank you Lord for my Catholic faith.

    Posted By: Abram Ziegelaar

  3. I'm not 85 but can appreciate what the Pope is saying (and endorse what Ken says above). I congratulate him on making this most wise decision and can only hope the cardinals can make an inspirational choice in his successor.
    An inspired appointment would the appointment of the Cardinal Archbishop of Seoul, Republic of Korea (ROK).
    I hope Pope Benedict can enjoy good health in his twilight years. Well done good and faithful servant.

    Posted By: peter, Melbourne

  4. May God bless you in retirement.
    I am sure the decision was made with heavy heart and the best interests of the Roman Catholic Church.
    God Bless you for all your hard work and may you find peace in retirement. I am sure we have not heard the last of your intellectual prose.

    Posted By: Colleen Readie

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