Five Things To Remember On Feb. 11

1. Pope Benedict XVI announced his resignation this morning at the Vatican, citing health and age concerns. He becomes the first Pope in 600 years to resign. News.Va has a series of informational posts and updates, including papal timelines, articles, historical perspectives and more.


Listen to Pope Benedict XVI's retirement announcement in Latin.



Watch his retirement announcement:



2. The USCCB's president, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, reacted to the news of Pope Benedict XVI's resignation by saying, "Those who met him, heard him speak and read his clear, profound writings found themselves moved and changed. In all he said and did he urged people everywhere to know and have a personal encounter with Jesus Christ."


3. USCCB Facebook followers are sharing how Pope Benedict XVI inspired them today at Facebook.com/USCCB and Facebook.com/USCCBEspanol. Twitter followers at Twitter.com/USCCB are doing this as well.

4. As mentioned, it's pretty rare for a Pope to resign. Some are calling it "uncharted waters." So, what's next?

5. "I have convoked you to this Consistory, not only for the three canonizations, but also to communicate to you a decision of great importance for the life of the Church. 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. 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. However, in today’s world, subject to so many rapid changes and shaken by questions of deep relevance for the life of faith, in order to govern the bark of Saint Peter and proclaim the Gospel, both strength of mind and body are necessary, strength which in the last few months, has deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognize my incapacity to adequately fulfill the ministry entrusted to me. For this reason, and well aware of the seriousness of this act, with full freedom I declare that I renounce the ministry of Bishop of Rome, Successor of Saint Peter, entrusted to me by the Cardinals on 19 April 2005, in such a way, that as from 28 February 2013, at 20:00 hours, the See of Rome, the See of Saint Peter, will be vacant and a Conclave to elect the new Supreme Pontiff will have to be convoked by those whose competence it is." - Pope Benedict XVI, announcing that he was resigning at the end of February.