Declaring that he lacks the strength to do his job, Pope Benedict XVI announced 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 Path of Pope Benedict XVI
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The Pope's father Joseph Ratzinger, right, was a policeman and his mother Maria a hotel cook. Older brother George, second from left, was also ordained. He later famously conducted the choir at Regensburg Cathedral. His sister Maria worked as Ratzinger's secretary until her death in 1991.
