By Jaime Ortega.
Benedict officially announced resignation as Pope for his “advanced age”.
Here we present the full text of his farewell:
Bellow the resignation of his Pontiff Benedict XVI
‘The force of body and spirit has fallen on me’
“My dear brothers,I have convened this reunion, not only to the three causes of canonization, but also to communicate a decision of great importance for the life of the Church.
After examining my conscience before God repeatedly, I have the certainty that, as an elderly man, I have no strength to adequately perform the Petrine ministry.
I am well aware that this ministry, spiritual in nature, must be carried out not only in words and deeds, but also with suffering and consistent prayer.
However, in today’s world, subject to rapid change and rocketed by high profile topics related with faith, it is necessary vigor of body and spirit.”
in recent months, I have fallen to admit my inability to exercise the good ministry I was entrusted to keep.
I was entrusted by the Cardinals on April 19, 2005, so that in February 28, 2013, at 20.00, the seat of Rome, the seat of San Pedro, will become vacant and shall be called, by whom is competent to elect a new pope.
Dear brothers, I thank you from my heart for all the love and work that you have carried with me in the weight of my ministry, and I apologize for all my shortcomings.
Now, we entrust the care of his Church’s supreme pastor, Our Lord Jesus Christ, and pray to Mary, his Holy Mother, who will attend with her maternal goodness to the Cardinals in helping elect the new Pope.
As far as I’m concerned, in the future, I would like to wholeheartedly serve the Holy Church of God with a life dedicated to prayer. “
