Scottish Catholic Observer

In a move that surprised many, the Holy Father, 85, said he had become too old and frail to continue.

“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,” Pope Benedict said. “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.”

A Vatican spokesman said today that a new Pope would be elected before the end of March, before Easter.

Spokesman Fr Federico Lombardi admitted that even the Pope’s closest aides did not know what he was planning to do and were left ‘incredulous.’ He added that the decision showed ‘great courage’ and ‘determination.’

Under Canon Law, the only conditions for the validity of a resignation of this nature are that it be made freely and be properly published.

Tributes to Pope Benedict have been flooding in from around the world. In the UK, they were lead by the country’s most senior catholic clergyman, Cardinal Keith O’Brien of St Andrew’s and Edinburgh.

“Like many people throughout the world, I was shocked and saddened to hear of the decision by Pope Benedict XVI to resign,” the cardinal said today. “I know that his decision will have been considered most carefully and that it has come after much prayer and reflection.”

Cardinal O’Brien will take part in the consistory to choose the next Pope.

Pic: The Holy Father first used used a platform during Mass in the Vatican in October 201. It had been designed for Pope John Paul II as his health failed in his last years.