Pope Thanks Catholics, Explains Resignation | WPN World People News

Pope Benedict XVI says he is stepping down "for the good of the church."

In front of thousands of people at the Vatican in his first public appearance since announcing his resignation, he thanked Catholics for their support.

Later in the day, he is to preside over an Ash Wednesday service at St. Peter's Basilica, marking the start of the holy season of Lent.

The pontiff, 85, announced Monday he will leave on February 28 because his advancing age is making it difficult to carry out his duties. He will publicly say farewell to Roman Catholics on February 27.

Vatican officials say the pope's successor is expected to be named before Easter March 31 and that Pope Benedict will play no role in the selection.

The Vatican has publicly acknowledged for the first time that the pope, a German formerly known as Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, has a pacemaker.

Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi says the device had been installed "some time ago" and that its batteries had been replaced three months ago.

Pope Benedict's health has visibly weakened in his eight years as head of the Roman Catholic Church - one of the shortest papal terms in modern history. A pope's travel schedule can be taxing, and his brother, Monsignor Georg Ratzinger, has told reporters the pontiff had been advised by his doctor not to make any more transatlantic trips.

Pope Benedict's rule has been concerned with the church's child sex abuse scandal that began long before he ascended to the papacy. Last year, his butler was found to be the source of leaked documents alleging corruption in the Vatican's business dealings. Pope Benedict also has been criticized for inflexibility on church dogmas.

In contrast, he has received praise for instituting a financial watchdog for the Vatican's financial dealings and becoming the first pope to communicate with followers via social media.

Source: Voice of America