VATICAN – THUNDER BAY – Pope Benedict XVI to resign. According to reports just coming out of the Vatican, Pope Benedict XVI is expected to resign the Papacy.The Pope was born on  16 April 1927, and was elected Pope on 24 April 2005 succeeding Pope John Paul II.

There is official confirmation from the Vatican on this announcement. The Pope will resign on the 28th 

Pope Benedict XVI

The resignation of a Pope Papal resignation is envisaged as a possibility in canon 332 §2 of the Code of Canon Law and canon 44 §2 of the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches. The only conditions for the validity of the resignation are that it be made freely and be manifested properly.

The reason for the resignation in the official statement from the Vatican is that the Pope’s health is failing.

Pope Benedict XVI is fully aware of the gravity of this decision according to the Vatican.

Resignations from the papacy are not unknown, but this is the first in the modern era, which has been marked by pontiffs dying while in office.

At 78, the former Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was one of the oldest new popes in history when elected.

The Papacy will remain vacant until there has been a new election.