'My strengths are no longer suited to the Petrine ministry' [CNAU]

[Catholic_Press]

Feb 11, '13 6:00 am
The full statement from Pope Benedict XVI: Dear Brothers,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.http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/cathnews/RSS/~4/JWvsIlUveME

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[Dale_M]

From the news article
Pope Benedict:

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 fulfil the ministry entrusted to me.

His statement is consistent with one he made in 2010 regarding a pope entering into retirement

“If a Pope clearly realizes that he is no longer physically, psychologically, and spiritually capable of handling the duties of his office, then he has a right and, under some circumstances, also an obligation to resign.”

time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2032433,00.html