After being elected in 2005 after the death of Pope John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI announced his resignation in February 2013 in an unexpected move. It is the first time a pope has resigned in nearly 600 years.
The last pope to resign was Pope Gregory XII in 1415. He stepped down to end the “Great Western Schism” — during which there were rival claims to the papal throne.
The reason that Pope Joseph Ratzinger cited for this udden resignation says “that my strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry.” He will be turning 86 in this April.
February 28th was his last day as Pope and Pope Benedict XVI leaves the Vatican for the Italian town of Castel Gandolfo, where he spends the final hours of his papacy. The 85-year-old pontiff boards an Italian air force helicopter to fly him to the papal summer retreat, where he delivers his final blessings as pope before retiring at 8 PM local time.
Here’s a video of his final public address:
“Dear friends, I’m happy to be with you, surrounded by the beauty of creation and your well-wishes which do me such good. Thank you for your friendship, and your affection. You know this day is different for me than the preceding ones: I am no longer the Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church, or I will be until 8 o’clock this evening and then no more.
I am simply a pilgrim beginning the last leg of his pilgrimage on this Earth. But I would still … thank you … I would still with my heart, with my love, with my prayers, with my reflection, and with all my inner strength, like to work for the common good and the good of the church and of humanity. I feel very supported by your sympathy.
Let us go forward with the Lord for the good of the church and the world. Thank you, I now wholeheartedly impart my blessing. Blessed be God Almighty, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Good night! Thank you all!”
