Pope Benedict stated this week that he will resign on Feb. 28, claiming he no longer "has the strength" to fulfill the duties of his office according to Reuters. He will become the first Pope since the Middle Ages to voluntarily step down from the position.

The last time a Pope voluntarily stepped down was in 1415. Benedict was the 265th Pope and the sixth German Pope according to CNN.

Click here to read the Pope's full resignation statement.

"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," he said according to a statement from the Vatican.

The Pope delivered the announcement in Latin and came during a meeting of Vatican cardinals. The news reportedly shocked everyone in attendance, including the Pope's closest aides according to Angelo Sodano, a senior Vatican cardinal.

No announcement has been made regarding who will take Benedict's place, but according to Greg Burke, a Vatican spokesman, a new pope will be declared by Easter.

"Because the Pope has not died there is no need for the traditional nine days of mourning, but there will be a Conclave (a meeting of Cardinals to select the new Pope)," Burke stated according to The Telegraph.

Benedict has had a number of different health issues the past 20 years, including suffering a stroke in 1991 according to Yahoo. He has been taking medication for his heart after suffering his first stroke, and was also hospitalized in 2009 after breaking his wrist in the Alps.

In 2012, the Pope started using a cane for special occasions and recently appeared to have trouble reading the text of an address in delivered in Rome according to The Telegraph.

"I thank you most sincerely for all the love and work with which you have supported me in my ministry and I ask pardon for all my defects," Benedict stated in his resignation. "And now, let us entrust the Holy Church to the care of Our Supreme Pastor, Our Lord Jesus Christ, and implore his holy Mother Mary, so that she may assist the Cardinal Fathers with her maternal solicitude, in electing a new Supreme Pontiff."

Steffen Seibert, a spokes person for Chancellor Angela Merkel stated that the Pope deserved "respect" for his eight years of service as Pope shortly after the announcement was made.

"The federal government has the greatest possible respect for the Holy Father, for his accomplishments, for his life-long work for the Catholic Church," said Seibert according to The Telegraph.

The 85-year-old became Pope in April 2005, after the death of John Paul II.

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