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Benedict’s final speech gave his flock the kind of personal and touching address that many longed for during his eight years as pontiff. He said when he was chosen in 2005, he wondered, “Lord, what do you ask of me?” and said he felt “it is a great weight you are placing on my shoulder.” The 85-year-old pontiff acknowledged that while there were many good days “of sunshine” during his papacy, there were also times of “stormy waters — as if God were sleeping.” http://www.nypost.com/p/news/international/his_farewell_benedict_ion_H9ZGhzAQjm6m5LEijb3fYI http://www.cnn.com/2013/02/28/world/europe/vatican-pope-resignation/index.html?hpt=wo_c1

Catholic League: Pope John Paul’s Sad End Influenced Resignation Read Latest Breaking News from Newsmax.com http://www.newsmax.com/Newsfront/Catholic-League-Pope-Benedict/2013/02/11/id/489898#ixzz2KhiKeBqj Urgent: Should Obamacare Be Repealed? Vote Here Now! Tears and sadness in pope's German hometown http://www.thenewage.co.za/82509-1020-53-Tears_and_sadness_in_popes_German_hometown Retired nun 'sad' that Cardinal Mahony will vote on next pope http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2013/02/cardinal-mahony-pope-reaction.html 85 years (April 16, 1927) Recap: Pope Benedict XVI resignation reaction http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-21409149

Successor to Benedict Will Lead a Church at a Crossroads VATICAN CITY — Pope Benedict XVI ’s surprise announcement on Monday that he will resign on Feb. 28 sets the stage for a succession battle that is likely to determine the future course of a church troubled by scandal and declining faith in its traditional strongholds around the world.        http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/12/world/europe/with-popes-resignation-focus-shifts-to-a-successor.html?_r=0 Catholics shocked as pope resigns, but little emotion He was little cold. http://news.yahoo.com/catholics-shocked-pope-resigns-little-emotion-163548580.html Pope Benedict XVI To Resign On Feb. 28 Due To Health Concerns http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/11/pope-benedict-xvi-to-resi_n_2660670.html

Pope Benedict XVI stuns world, announces retirement The conservative pope who brought tweeting to the Vatican stunned the Roman Catholic world Monday, becoming the first pope in 600 years to resign as leader of the 1 billion-member church. Pope Benedict XVI, 85, cited age and declining health in his announcement, issued in Latin during a meeting of cardinals. The resignation, effective Feb. 28, means a conclave of cardinals will be held here, probably in March, to elect a successor. "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" for the task, he said. The pope said that "both strength of mind and body are necessary, strengths which in the last few months, have deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognize my incapacity to adequately http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/11/pope-benedict-xvi-to-resi_n_2660670.html?utm_source=DailyBrief&a