Text of the full resignation letter here.
Twitter was abuzz this morning with the news. He is the first pope to resign since Gregory XII in 1415.
The thank you for your service response:
New York’s Cardinal Dolan thanks #Pope Benedict for “selfless leadership” on.cnn.com/Y4nort
— CNN Breaking News (@cnnbrk) February 11, 2013
#Israeli chief rabbi praises outgoing pope for “advancing inter-religious links btwn #Judaism, Christianity & Islam” bit.ly/JPost1641
— Jerusalem Post News (@Jerusalem_Post) February 11, 2013
“John Paul taught us how to die. Pope Benedict shows us how to step aside in humility and love.” – @kathrynlopez ~ nationalreview.com/corner/340290/…
— Adam Baldwin (@adamsbaldwin) February 11, 2013
The hateful:
The Pope must have done something even the Church finds unacceptable. I’m guessing he’s shagged an adult woman.
— Frankie Boyle (@frankieboyle) February 11, 2013
Call me crazy, but I think the next Pope should be someone who didn’t help cover up child rape.Tho,that may disqualify every single cardinal
— Christopher Hayes (@chrislhayes) February 11, 2013
The Conspiracy:
The resignation of Pope Benedict XVI: Is it health? Politics? Or both? | ti.me/12m4jny (via @timeworld)
— TIME.com (@TIME) February 11, 2013
As a Catholic, I’m not buying this. Popes don’t just quit because they’re tired. What’s going on here??
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) February 11, 2013
The funny:
The Pope is hardly the first person to lose interest in their real job so soon after joining Twitter.
— Sixth Form Poet (@sixthformpoet) February 11, 2013
I am one of the top replies to @pontifex's tweet yesterday. I ain't sayin I trolled the Pope into ragequitting, but it is quite possible.
— Andrew Auernheimer (@rabite) February 11, 2013
Can't we just pump this Pope full of "ageless male"?! [joke for #redeye fans]
— El SOOPer!! (@SooperMexican) February 11, 2013
Obama will honor the Pope's service by posting a picture of himself lighting a candle at a Catholic church.
— Neal Boortz (@Talkmaster) February 11, 2013
Somehow the Jooz, the trilaterial commission, George Bush, and Global Warming is to blame for this...
— El SOOPer!! (@SooperMexican) February 11, 2013