Pope Benedict XVI announces resignation – as it happened

Pope Benedict XVI to step down • Pontiff says his age means he lacks strength to do job • First pope to resign in 600 years • Turkson, Ouellet or Arinze may be successor We're going to wrap up our live blog coverage of reaction to the pope's announcement that he will step down at the end of the month. Here's a summary of where things stand: • Although Pope Benedict XVI reportedly made his decision to resign months ago, his announcement Monday morning took most everyone by surprise. Catholic leaders and religious leaders around the world expressed their support as church members expressed shock at the news. • The move could be the most potentially influential action the pope has taken in his eight-year papacy. A pope has not resigned since 1415. The 85-year-old Benedict's reasoning was simple: he considers himself too worn down to fill the role. • A successor is expected to be elected by the end of next month. Oft-mentioned candidates are Ghana’s Cardinal Peter Turkson, Nigeria’s Cardinal Francis Arinze, Canada’s Cardinal Marc Ouellet, and Italy’s Angelo Scola. • Critics of Pope Benedict XVI welcomed his departure, saying he did not do enough to stop the sexual abuse of children by priests, or to acknowledge the problem. He was also criticized as having failed to reverse a decline in church membership. • Benedict says he wishes to continue to serve the Catholic church "through a life dedicated to prayer". He will revert to his former title of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger upon his resignation, the Catholic church in England said. There was “absolute silence” this morning when the pope told cardinals the news, according to Mexican prelate Monsignor Oscar Sanchez, who witnessed his resignation.