The spiritual leader of 1.2 billion Roman Catholics, Pope Benedict XVI, has announced his decision to resign from the Papal post.The head of the Catholic Church, he will officially step down on 28th February, 2013 the Vatican confirmed. The Pope cited ill health and old age as the main reasons for giving up the post, saying that he no longer has the strength to fulfil the duties of his office.He is the first Pontiff to resign from office in nearly 600 years, the last being Pope Gregory XII, who stepped down in 1415.For the Vatican to hold a conclave to elect a new pope by mid-March because it is not necessary to observe the usual time of mourning which would follow the death of a pope.
