Pope's Sudden Resignation Sends Shockwaves Through Church -- Reuters
(Reuters) - Pope Benedict stunned the Roman Catholic Church on Monday when he announced he would stand down, the first pope to do so in 700 years, saying he no longer had the mental and physical strength to carry on.
Church officials tried to relay a climate of calm confidence in the running of a 2,000-year-old institution, but the decision could lead to uncertainty in a Church already besieged by scandal for covering up sexual abuse of children by priests.
The soft-spoken German, who always maintained that he never wanted to be pope, was an uncompromising conservative on social and theological issues, fighting what he regarded as the increasing secularization of society.
It remains to be seen whether his successor will continue such battles or do more to bend with the times.
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MIDDLE EAST
Syrian rebels claim capture of Euphrates dam.
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'.
Attacks kill 12 in Iraq's Mosul: sources.
New Iran centrifuges could shorten path to atomic bomb: Netanyahu.
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
Senior U.S. senator faults Taiwan over arms "complacency".
Death toll rises as Kashmir tension persists.
Thai soldiers killed in roadside bombings.
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
Protesters clash with police in Cairo. Egypt protests on anniversary of Mubarak's fall.
Libya to shut Egypt, Tunis borders for anniversary.
French, Malian troops regain control of Gao after rebels raid by canoe.
Rebels' raid poses Mali guerrilla war threat for French.
Exclusive: U.N. monitors see arms reaching Somalia from Yemen, Iran.
Tunisian President's party to quit government. Tunisia’s Islamists seek compromise on political crisis.
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
As euro strengthens, debate grows about setting a 'target' value.
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.
Ireland calls Brussels meeting on horsemeat scandal. Horse trading exposed by British beef scandal.
AMERICAS
Vet who fought off Taliban attack awarded Medal of Honor.
Fresh questions over Christopher Dorner's dismissal as hunt continues.
Venezuelan devaluation sparks panic.
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.
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Carnival cruise ship to be towed after fire strands it in Gulf of Mexico.
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Pakistani Taliban bans Viagra.
9/11 lawyers fear gov't eavesdropping at Gitmo.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
Judge approves Apple request to speed up schedule in Greenlight Capital case.
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Back to the future as G20 comes to Russia.
US report highlights economic threat of hacking.
Facebook sued over 'like' button.
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