The shocking (?) news that Pope Benedict XVI will resign on February 28, 2013 came out this morning.
Shocking in that the last Pope to leave the position was 600 years ago. Not shocking in that he is 85 years old and his health has obviously been waning.
Resign is a poor term, because he is not leaving a known successor to the papacy. The Conclave will not convene until March 2013. A better term would be abdicate.
We need to pray for the pontiff and all the cardinals that the correct choice is made to continue building the faith and the number of faithful.
