RT @Pontifex: We must trust in the mighty power of God’s mercy. We are all sinners, but His grace transforms us and makes us new.
Last tweet was from Pope Benedict XVI's official account yesterday
Pope will step down on February 28 after nearly eight years in office
Says his strength is no longer adequate to stay in office due to his advanced age
Pope Benedict becomes the first pontiff to resign in nearly 600 years
Vatican spokesman says Pope "took us by surprise" with resignation
AP reporting brother says Pope's doctor told him not to take transatlantic trips for health reasons
Vatican spokesman says resignation not for "difficulties in papacy"
Pope will go to papal summer residence near Rome after resignation, then to cloistered residence in Vatican
He will also take no part in conclave to elect his successor
New Pope expected to be in place before the end of March
Vatican spokesman says Pope 'took us by surprise' indicating closest aides did not know.
Brother says Pope's doctor told him not to take transatlantic trips for health reasons. AP. I think he was due to go to Brazil in July
Pope's brother Georg Ratzinger told news agency dpa the 85-year-old had been considering stepping down for months
Archbishop Vincent Nichols, president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, said: "I am sure that many will recognise it to be a decision of great courage and characteristic clarity of mind and action. I salute his courage and his decision."
Vatican spokesman says Pope may have wanted to resign to avoid exhausting rush of Easter engagements
Statement from Prime Minister David Cameron: "He has worked tirelessly to strengthen Britain's relations with the Holy See. His visit to Britain in 2010 is remembered with great respect and affection. He will be missed as a spiritual leader to millions."
Statement from Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby: "It was with a heavy heart but complete understanding that we learned this morning of Pope Benedict's declaration of his decision to lay down the burden of ministry as Bishop of Rome, an office which he has held with great dignity, insight and courage."
Irish Taoiseach Enda Kenny: "It reflects his profound sense of duty to the Church, and also his deep appreciation of the unique pressures of spiritual leadership in the modern world."
German Chancellor Angela Merkel calls Pope Benedict: "One of the most significant religious thinkers of our time."
Labour Party leader Ed Miliband: "His decision to stand down is a brave one and we know he will not have reached it lightly."
Bookmakers have Nigerian Cardinal Francis Arinze as favourite to become the next pope
Ramadhan Foundation: Church has chance to return to teachings & practices of Pope John Paul II which were of inter faith work #pontifexit
Four octogenarian worshipers in Leeds Cathedral told me the church should have younger pope. Said he should be no older than 60 #pontifexit
Will be interviewing @danielhale from @progressio at 3pm on #skynews. To talk about what #popebenedictxvi has achieved.
In case yr wondering - The Holy See refers to the government of the Catholic Church operating out of the Vatican City.
The Pope is the 265th ' Successor Of St. Peter,' - 'You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church'.
1st Pope to properly resign? -Celestine V 1294. And his successor promptly locked him up.
Previous Popes had 'resigned', or less charitably had sold or bought the Papacy. Which doesn't seem quite right.
I can confidently predict the next Pope will be the one the Cardinals choose. Other than that everyone's guessing.
"I salute his courage and his decision." says Archbishop Vincent Nichols. We will interview him live within the next hour on #skynews #Pope
My report on the resignation of Pope Benedict is on @SkyNews at 1700
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RT @Pontifex: We must trust in the mighty power of God’s mercy. We are all sinners, but His grace transforms us and makes us new.by SkyWilLongbottom via twitter 2/11/2013 11:20:05 AM
Vatican spokesman says Pope 'took us by surprise' indicating closest aides did not know.by Tim Marshall via twitter 2/11/2013 12:06:57 PM
Ramadhan Foundation: Church has chance to return to teachings & practices of Pope John Paul II which were of inter faith work #pontifexitby Gerard Tubb via twitter 2/11/2013 2:18:22 PM
Will be interviewing @danielhale from @progressio at 3pm on #skynews. To talk about what #popebenedictxvi has achieved.by Jason Farrell via twitter 2/11/2013 2:56:21 PM
My report on the resignation of Pope Benedict is on @SkyNews at 1700by enda brady via twitter 2/11/2013 3:46:14 PM
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