NICOLE WINFIELD
AND VICTOR L. SIMPSON
Associated Press

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February 11, 2013
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Pope to resign Feb. 28, says he’s too infirm

VATICAN CITY — Declaring that he lacks the strength to do his job, Pope Benedict XVI announced Monday he will resign Feb. 28 — becoming the first pontiff to step down in 600 years. His decision sets the stage for a mid-March conclave to elect a new leader for a Roman Catholic Church in deep turmoil. The 85-year-old pope dropped the bombshell in Latin during a meeting of Vatican cardinals, surprising even his closest collaborators even though he had made clear previously that he would step down if he became too old or infirm to carry on. Benedict called his …

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The Union Updated Feb 11, 2013 06:05PM Published Feb 11, 2013 05:45PM Copyright 2013 The Union. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.