February 11, 2013

ROME (JTA) – In a shocking announcement, 85-year-old  Pope Benedict XVI said he will step down from the papacy at the end of the month because he can no longer carry out his duties at his “advanced age”  and – apparently – failing health.

Following Monday’s announcement, a spokesman for Israeli chief rabbi Yona Metzger wished the pope well and said relations between Israel and the Holy See had become the best ever during Benedict’s papacy. 

In today’s world, the pope said Monday afternoon in a declaration in Latin issued by the Vatican, “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 fulfill the ministry entrusted to me.”

The declaration continued: “For this reason, and well aware of the seriousness of this act, with full freedom I declare that I renounce the ministry of Bishop of Rome, Successor of Saint Peter, entrusted to me by the Cardinals on 19 April 2005, in such a way, that as from 28 February 2013, at 20:00 hours, the See of Rome, the See of Saint Peter, will be vacant and a Conclave to elect the new Supreme Pontiff will have to be convoked by those whose competence.”

Though the pope’s brother told the German news agency DPA that Benedict had been weighing the decision for months, the announcement came as a shock. His resignation is the first resignation of a reigning pope in modern times. The last pope to resign was Gregory XII in 1415, in order to end a civil war within the church.

Benedict, the former Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, was elected pope after the death of Polish-born Pope John Paul II. John Paul had made bettering relations with the Jewish world and Israel one of the cardinal points of his papacy.

Metzger praised Benedict’s outreach to Jews and other religious groups during his tenure. “During his period (as pope) there were the best relations ever between the church and the chief rabbinate and we hope that this trend will continue,” Reuters quoted Metzger’s spokesman as saying. “I think he deserves a lot of credit for advancing inter-religious links the world over between Judaism, Christianity and Islam.” Metzger wished Benedict “good health and long days,” according to his spokesman.

The FCJE, the umbrella organization representing Spanish Jews, said in a statement issued shortly after the announcement that it “respected” the pope’s decision.

“As pope, Benedict XVI  acted with great intellectual rigor that undoubtedly contributed to Catholic-Jewish relations,” the statement read. “We wish the pope a long life and encourage him to continue working for peace between the peoples after leaving the post.”
 

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