Pope Benedict XVI resigns

Pope Benedict XVI (Joseph Ratzinger) has announced that he will resign at the very end of February due to his age. He will mark his 86th birthday on April 16, Rai News24 reports.

Spokesman of the Vatican Federico Lombardi said that the resignation will happen at 8.00 pm on February 28.

Benedict XVI will be the first Pope to resign since Gregory XII in 1415.

The cardinals will elect a new Pope in March 2013.