The internet is flooded with speculations on why the pope is resigning even thou officials said there was no pressure on the Pope to resign.
Speaking in one of the Vatican's state rooms today, the pope told Cardinals
"After having repeatedly examined my conscience before God, i have come to the certainty that my strengths due to an advanced age are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry. I'm well aware that the ministry, due to it's essential spiritual nature, must be carried out not only by words and deeds but no less with prayer and suffering.
However, in today's world, subject to so many rapid changes and shaken by questions of deep relevance for the life of faith, in order to govern the barque of St.Peter and proclaim the gospel, both strength of mind and body are necessary strengths which in the last few months has deteriorated in me to the extent that i have had to recognize my incapacity to adequately fulfill the ministry entrusted to me".
Pope Benedict is the oldest Pope in 300 years when he was elected in 2005 at the age of 78.