Pope Resigns For The Good Of The Church.

Pope Benedict XVI, yesterday, told thousands who gathered for his weekly audience that he was resigning for “the good of the church”. He was given a standing ovation and most of the audience had tears in their eyes. A huge banner reading “Grazie Santita” (Thank you Your Holiness) was strung up at the back of the room. He repeated in Italian what he had told his cardinals, Monday, in Latin: that he simply didn’t have the strength to continue. “As you know, I have decided to renounce the ministry that the Lord gave to me on April 19, 2005,” he said, to applause. “I did this in full liberty for the good of the church.” He thanked the faithful for their prayers and love, which he said he had “physically felt in these days that haven’t been easy for me.” And he asked them “to continue to pray for me, the church, and the future pope. He intends to retire to a monastery.