VATICAN CITY
The Times (United Kingdom)
Pope Benedict XVI is to resign because of ill health and old age – the first pontiff to renounce his ministry for almost 600 years.
The 85-year-old Pope announced his decision during a canonisation ceremony at the Vatican this morning, taking by surprise an assembly of cardinals who had gathered to hear the declaration of three new saints.
Federico Lombardi, the Vatican spokesman, said that Benedict made the announcement in Latin and admitted that there was a “moment of hesitation” before his audience caught up with what he was saying.
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