Pope Benedict Stepping Down, Cites Poor Health -- Reuters
(Reuters) - Pope Benedict shocked the world on Monday by saying he no longer had the mental and physical strength to cope with his ministry, in an announcement that left his aides "incredulous" and will make him the first pontiff to step down since the Middle Ages.
The German-born Pope, 85, hailed as a hero by conservative Roman Catholics and viewed with suspicion by liberals, told cardinals in Latin that his strength had deteriorated recently. He will step down on February 28 and the Vatican expects a new Pope to be chosen by the end of March.
Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi said the Pope had not decided to resign because of "difficulties in the papacy" and the move had been a surprise, indicating that even his inner circle was unaware that he was about to quit.
The Pope does not fear schism in the Church after his resignation, the spokesman said.
Read more ....
MIDDLE EAST
Syrian army, rebels clash in Damascus.
Syria rebels seize dam, blast on Turkish border.
Lebanese military seals off a town involved in Syrian rebellion.
Iran 'trying to build militias inside Syria'.
Iranians on revolution day chant ‘death to America’.
Iran resumes some conversion of sensitive uranium.
Turkey will not halt gold flow to Iran, demand may fall.
Report: Iraq PM 'invites' Iran to seize US Embassy in Baghdad.
ASIA
Chinese Year of Snake celebrations in Asia.
China's patience with North Korea wearing thin.
China overtakes US in world trade.
Burma observers participate in US-led military exercises in Thailand.
36 dead in stampede at Hindu festival in India.
China tightens concert rules after Elton John's 'disrespectful' Beijing show.
AFRICA
French, Malian troops regain control of Gao after rebels raid by canoe.
Rebels' raid poses Mali guerrilla war threat for French.
Tunisian President's party delays quitting government. Tunisia President Marzouki's CPR 'to withdraw ministers'.
Libyans wary of violence in Tunisia.
Asian doctors murdered in northeast Nigeria: military.
1m Sudanese trapped in dire need beyond reach of aid agencies.
Egyptian court bans YouTube for a month.
EUROPE
Pope Benedict XVI in shock resignation.
France probes suspects 'linked to African jihadists'.
Putin turns black gold to bullion as Russia outbuys world.
Scotland "new state" outside EU, U.N. if splits: Britain.
Methane blast kills 18 at Russia coal mine.
Horse trading exposed by British beef scandal.
AMERICAS
Poll: Economy, deficit top US voter issues ahead of Obama speech.
U.S. northeast digs out, cold moves South.
Homeland security delays plan to place sensors on U.S.-Mexico border.
After 2 months absent, still no sign of Chavez.
Carnival cruise ship to be towed after fire strands it in Gulf of Mexico.
Official: 5 suspects arrested in Mexico tourist rapes.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
Timbuktu: al-Qaeda's terrorist training academy in the Mali desert.
Pakistani Taliban bans Viagra.
9/11 lawyers fear gov't eavesdropping at Gitmo.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
Insight: Has Volkswagen discovered the Holy Grail of carmakers?
Back to the future as G20 comes to Russia.
US report highlights economic threat of hacking.
Facebook sued over 'like' button.
No comments:
Post a Comment