It is apparently breaking news that Pope Benedict is about to resign. This is certainly unusual. Is it unprecedented?

I believe there has only been 1 instance of this before, but might be wrong!

Celeste V in 1294!

Well thats a surprise

I am not of the catholic faith but I believe he did say on taking on the role he would leave if he felt he was no longer able to carry out his duties. I wonder if it is health or another. It will be interesting to learn won't it.

I wonder why? It can't be to spend more time with his family.

On BBC television news now.

Perhaps he's giving up Poping for Lent and has got the dates wrong?

phoenix

phoenix thats taking Lent to the extreme

Well its a sure bet that there will not be a woman in the frame for the top job!!!!!!!

Gazillions of tweets about Pontifex leaving. This is the best one by @sixthformpoet:
"The Pope is hardly the first person to lose interest in their real job so soon after joining Twitter."

Let's hope the election process doesn't turn out like the one in Viterbo in 1268.

He has said he is resigning due to his health.

Not that I am paranoid or anything but I started going to our local Catholic church and 3/4 weeks later the priest moved to another parish. I am on the verge of being accepted into the church and the Pope resigns - was it something I said!

Barrow - don't look on your experiences as paranoia - look on it as the Priest moved to another Parish because he knew you would take care of the old one and now the Pope feels that with you being received into the Church it is safe for him to leave!!!
I am retiring from my post as Parish secretary at my Church (RC) on 1st March!
My story (and I am sticking to it!) is that Pope Benedict has decided that as I am retiring he can't go on without me

Sbagran - hadn't thought of it like that - makes me feel better

There is a suggestion that he might have Parkinsons. I think it is a good thing for him to do if he knows he is not up to the job. I wish more people would follow his lead.

sba I like your style

"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 told the cardinals.

Respect.

I'm not surprised. He hasn't looked all that well for ages.

Oh Barrow I am sure it isn't !!
DH is a Catholic and we were very sad that he wasn't well enough to go to see the Pope when he visited a couple of years ago - despite everything people say about his youth and the Nazi parrty he comes across as a gentle and thoughtful soul with a twinkle in his eye.

I always though he was a bit on the old side when he was appointed. Popes are expected to do celebrity world tours these days. Not many people in their 80s are up to that on a prolonged basis. Even our own dear queen delegates some of the international stuff these days. But the pope does not, for obvious reasons, have any acceptable substitutes that he can delegate to.

He was the oldest elected pope for absolutely ages.

Perhaps they should chose a younger one next time!

Sorry - choose!

The last Pope hung on for far too long, I seem to remember.

He could hardly move, speak, lift his head up, by the time he went.

Did he die on the job?