Pope Benedict XVI to resign Feb. 28, 2013

In this photo provided by the Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano, Pope Benedict XVI, sitting on the throne at center-right, attends a meeting of Vatican cardinals, at the Vatican, Monday, Feb. 11, 2013. Benedict XVI announced Monday that he would resign Feb. 28 - the first pontiff to do so in nearly 600 years. The decision sets the stage for a conclave to elect a new pope before the end of March.

AP
Pope Benedict XVI holds a candle as he celebrates a mass for priests and nuns in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013.

Riccardo De Luca | AP
A nun takes pictures to Pope Benedict XVI as he leaves after celebrating a mass for priests and nuns in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013.

Riccardo De Luca | AP
Pope Benedict XVI blesses faithful at the end of his visit at the Roman seminary, in Rome Sunday, Feb. 8, 2013.

Gregorio Borgia | AP
Seminarians wait for the arrival of Pope Benedict XVI at the Roman seminary, in Rome Friday, Feb. 8, 2013.

Gregorio Borgia | AP
Pope Benedict XVI arrives for his weekly general audience in the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican, Wednesday Feb. 6, 2013.

Alessandra Tarantino | AP
In this Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2009 file photo, Pope Benedict XVI, standing at center, waves from his popemobile on his way to the Spanish Steps in central Rome, for the traditional prayer before a statue of the Virgin Mary on the occasion of the Immaculate Conception. Benedict announced Monday Feb. 11, 2013 he would resign Feb. 28, the first pontiff to do so in nearly 600 years. The decision sets the stage for a conclave to elect a new pope before the end of March.

ANDREW MEDICHINI | AP
In this May 10, 2007 file photo, Pope Benedict XVI reacts while looking at fireworks during an event at the Pacaembu stadium in Sao Paulo, Brazil. On Monday, Feb. 11, 2013 the Vatican announced that Pope Benedict XVI will resign on Feb. 28, 2013.

Silvia Izquierdo | AP
This April 19, 2005 file photo shows Pope Benedict XVI greeting the crowd from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica moments after being elected, at the Vatican. On Monday, Feb. 11, 2013 Benedict XVI announced he would resign Feb. 28, the first pontiff to do so in nearly 600 years. The decision sets the stage for a conclave to elect a new pope before the end of March.

Domenico Stinellis | AP
In this Tuesday, March 13, 2007 file photo, Pope Benedict XVI talks with Russia's President Vladimir Putin, left, during their meeting at the Vatican. Benedict announced Monday Feb. 11, 2013, he will resign Feb. 28 _ becoming the first pontiff to step down in 600 years. His decision sets the stage for a mid-March conclave to elect a new leader for a Roman Catholic Church in deep turmoil.

ANDREW MEDICHINI | AP
This April 24, 2005 file photo shows Pope Benedict XVI opening his arms as he celebrates his installment Mass in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican. Pope Benedict XVI announced Monday, Feb. 11, 2013 that he would resign on Feb. 28 because he was simply too infirm to carry on - the first pontiff to do so in nearly 600 years. The decision sets the stage for a conclave to elect a new pope before the end of March.

Alessandra Tarantino | AP
In this Sunday, April 1, 2007, file photo, Pope Benedict XVI greets pilgrims and faithful during an open-air Palm Sunday Mass celebrated in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican. Declaring that he lacks the strength to do his job, Benedict announced Monday Feb. 11, 2013, he will resign Feb. 28 _ becoming the first pontiff to step down in 600 years. His decision sets the stage for a mid-March conclave to elect a new leader for a Roman Catholic Church in deep turmoil.

ALESSANDRA TARANTINO | AP
This April 24, 2005 file photo shows Pope Benedict XVI,center, holding a cross as he celebrates his installment Mass in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Sunday, April 24, 2005. Benedict XVI announced Monday, Feb. 11, 2013, that he would resign on Feb. 28 because he was simply too infirm to carry on - the first pontiff to do so in nearly 600 years. The decision sets the stage for a conclave to elect a new pope before the end of March.

Andrew Medichini | AP
This April 24, 2005 file photo shows thousands of people attending the installment Mass of Pope Benedict XVI in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican. Pope Benedict XVI announced Monday, Feb. 11, 2013 that he would resign on Feb. 28 because he was simply too infirm to carry on — the first pontiff to do so in nearly 600 years. The decision sets the stage for a conclave to elect a new pope before the end of March.

Gregorio Borgia | AP
In this April 9, 2009 file photo, Pope Benedict XVI offers a nun the Holy Communion, a Chrism Mass inside St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, as Benedict XVI celebrated a Holy Thursday Mass that included the traditional blessing of holy oils - some of which the church will send to an earthquake zone as a sign of closeness to the stricken population. Pope Benedict XVI announced Monday, Feb. 11, 2013, he would resign Feb. 28 because he is simply too old to carry on.

Andrew Medichini | AP
In this Wednesday Nov. 14, 2007 file photo, Pope Benedict XVI gives his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican. Benedict announced Monday Feb. 11, 2013 he would resign Feb. 28, the first pontiff to do so in nearly 600 years. The decision sets the stage for a conclave to elect a new pope before the end of March.

PLINIO LEPRI | AP
In this Sunday, March 25, 2012 file photo, Pope Benedict XVI waves from the popemobile wearing a Mexican sombrero as he arrives to give a Mass in Bicentennial Park near Silao, Mexico. Pope Benedict XVI announced Monday, Feb. 11, 2013, he would resign Feb. 28 because he is simply too old to carry on.

Eduardo Verdugo | AP
In this Sunday, March 22, 2009 file photo, Pope Benedict XVI arrives in the popemobile to celebrate a Mass on the outskirts of Angola's seaside capital, Luanda, the last major event before the end of the visit on the following day. Pope Benedict XVI announced Monday, Feb. 11, 2013, he would resign Feb. 28 because he is simply too old to carry on.

Andrew Medichini | AP
In this Sunday, Sunday, April 24, 2005 file photo, Pope Benedict XVI waves as he rides on the Popemobile through St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, following his installment Mass. Pope Benedict XVI announced Monday, Feb. 11, 2013, he would resign Feb. 28 because he is simply too old to carry on.

Andrew Medichini | AP
In this June 29, 1951 file photo, Cardinal Michael von Faulhaber, top, blesses Joseph Ratzinger during his ordination to the priesthood in the Freising, southern Germany, cathedral. Ratzinger, who later became Pope Benedict XVI, announced Monday, Feb. 11, 2013 that he will resign on Feb. 28. The 85-year-old pope announced his decision in Latin during a meeting of Vatican cardinals.

Erzbistum München | AP
In this 1952 file photo Father Joseph Ratzinger celebrates an open air Mass in Ruhpolding, southern Germany. Ratzinger, who later became Pope Benedict XVI, announced Monday, Feb. 11, 2013 that he will resign on Feb. 28. The 85-year-old pope announced his decision in Latin during a meeting of Vatican cardinals.

DB | AP
In this June 29, 1951 file photo, Joseph Ratzinger, right, and his brother Georg after their ordination to priesthood in Freising, southern Germany. Ratzinger, who later became Pope Benedict XVI, announced Monday, Feb. 11, 2013 that he will resign on Feb. 28. The 85-year-old pope announced his decision in Latin during a meeting of Vatican cardinals.

Erzbistum | AP
In this September 1978 file photo provided by the German Catholic News Agency KNA, Albanian-born Mother Teresa, left, and German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, right, attend a Mass during the 85th German Catholics Day in Freiburg, southern Germany, from Sept. 13-19, 1978. Ratzinger was elected Pope, April 19, 2005 and chose Benedict XVI as his papal name. Pope Benedict XVI announced Monday, Feb. 11, 2013, he would resign Feb. 28 because he is simply too old to carry on.

uncredited | AP
In this 1979 file photo, Pope John Paul II, left, poses with Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger of Munich, who was named on Nov. 25, 1981, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and President of the Pontifical Biblical Commission and of the International Theological Commission, the former Holy Office. Ratzinger was elected Pope, April 19, 2005 and chose Benedict XVI as his papal name. Pope Benedict XVI announced Monday, Feb. 11, 2013, he would resign Feb. 28 because he is simply too old to carry on.

uncredited | AP
In this Oct. 22, 1978 file photo, Pope John Paul II places his hands on the shoulders of West German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, archbishop of Munich and Freising, during the solemn inauguration of his ministry as universal Pastor of the Church in Vatican City. Ratzinger, who later became Pope Benedict XVI, announced Monday, Feb. 11, 2013 that he will resign on Feb. 28. The 85-year-old pope announced his decision in Latin during a meeting of Vatican cardinals.

Anonymous | AP
In this Thursday, Dec. 25, 2008, file photo, Pope Benedict XVI holds the pastoral staff as he celebrates Christmas midnight Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican. Declaring that he lacks the strength to do his job, Benedict announced Monday Feb. 11, 2013, he will resign Feb. 28 _ becoming the first pontiff to step down in 600 years. His decision sets the stage for a mid-March conclave to elect a new leader for a Roman Catholic Church in deep turmoil.

GREGORIO BORGIA | AP
In this Wednesday, April 16, 2008 file photo, President Bush and Pope Benedict XVI walk down the Colonnade of the White House in Washington, following an arrival ceremony on the South Lawn. Benedict announced Monday Feb. 11, 2013 he would resign Feb. 28, the first pontiff to do so in nearly 600 years. The decision sets the stage for a conclave to elect a new pope before the end of March.

Gerald Herbert | AP
Pope Benedict XVI acknowledges delegates inside the United Nations General Assembly Hall Friday, April 18, 2008 at the United Nations.

Julie Jacobson | AP
Pope Benedict XVI waves to crowds gathered outside St. Joseph parish in the Yorkville section of Manhattan in New York, Friday, April 18, 2008 after heading up an ecumenical prayer service there.

Kathy Willens | AP
Little Sisters of the Poor Sister Kathleen Marie, right, shows Sister Ann Marguerite how to use their communal cell phone in early morning before the Papal Mass with Pope Benedict XVI in Washington, Thursday, April 17, 2008.

Gerald Herbert | AP
Pope Benedict XVI celebrates a mass in the Church of the Annunciation, believed to stand at the site of Mary's house where angel Gabriel appeared and announced that she would give birth to Jesus Christ, in Nazareth, northern Israel, Thursday, May 14, 2009. The Pope is on the fourth day of a Holy Land pilgrimage meant to promote peace and unity in the Middle East.

Ariel Schalit | AP
Pope Benedict XVI stands next to the Western Wall, Judaism's holiest site in Jerusalem's Old City, Tuesday, May 12, 2009. The Pope is on a five-day visit to Israel and the Palestinian Territories.

SEBASTIAN SCHEINER | AP
Artist Georg Schmitt carries a cardboard figure showing Pope Benedict XVI in Cologne, western Germany, Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2005. Pope Benedict XVI will come to the World Youth Day event on Thursday.

MICHAEL PROBST | AP

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