Pope resigns the Throne of St Peter

His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI has announced his resignation as Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church. The Pope is 85 years old and cited his advancing years have left him unable to fulfil the Duties of the Papacy. The announcement has come has a shock to the Roman Catholic Church, the Pope is the first to resign the Papacy since Pope Gregory XII in 1415. The Pope will formerly Retire on the 28th of February 2013 at 8pm Rome Time (7pm GMT). Following the pope’s retirement a Papal Conclave shall meet to elect a new Pontiff.