Catholic leaders speak of shock at Pope resignation

CATHOLIC figureheads yesterday paid tribute to Pope Benedict XVI after the 85-year-old announced that he would resign at the end of the month.

There was worldwide shock after the Pontiff declared he would give up his position during a meeting of Vatican cardinals yesterday morning – the last pope to resign was Gregory XII in 1415.

Pope Benedict said his frailty made him no longer suitable for the role.

The Catholic Dean of Guernsey, Canon Michael Hore, said the decision was a shock because it has not happened in centuries but he could understand why it was made.

Guernsey's assistant Catholic priest Father Stanislaw Gibzinski agreed.