Papa Benedict wa 16 ameshangaza dunia Jumatatu alipotangaza anajiuzulu ifikapo februari 28, na hivyo kuwa Papa wa kwanza kujiuzulu kwa takribani miaka 600 iliyopita.
Papa aliwashangaza viongozi wa juu wa kanisa alipokutana nao huko Vatican alikotangaza uwamuzi wake. Katika taarifa yake amesema “nilitafakari kwa kina juu ya uamuzi huo.”
Benedict alisema anajiuzulu kwa sababu nguvu zake zimepunguwa sana katika kipindi cha miezi kadhaa iliyopita “kufikia kiwango ambacho ilibidi nitambue uwezo wangu wa kutumikia kikamilifu wadhifa wa kidini niliyokabidhiwa.”
Papa Benedict awasalimia umati wa watu kutoka baraza ya kati ya Kanisa la St. Peter's Basilica mjini Vatican, Aprili 19, 2005.
Papa Benedict awasili kuhudhuria mkutano na watawa katika ukumbi wa chuo cha Romano Maggiore mjini Rome, Februari 8, 2013.
Pope Benedict waves as he arrives to lead the weekly general audience in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican April 18, 2012.
Pope Benedict wears a sombrero, a traditional Mexican hat, while being driven through the crowd before officiating a mass in Silao, Mexico, March 25, 2012.
Pope Benedict holds his cross as he leads a solemn mass in Zagreb, Croatia, June 5, 2011.
Pope Benedict visits the Ardeatine Caves Memorial in Rome, Italy, March 27, 2011.
Pope Benedict leaves after an audience with Vatican-accredited diplomats at the Vatican, January 10, 2011.
Pope Benedict visits the Western Wall, Judaism's holiest prayer site, in Jerusalem's Old City May 12, 2009.
Pope Benedict waves to the crowd gathered in Saint Peter's square during his weekly Angelus blessing at the Vatican, May 16, 2010.
US President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle Obama meet with Pope Benedict at the Vatican, July 10, 2009.
Jopo la makadinali litakutana kumchagua Papa mpya mwishoni mwa mwezi wa Februari. .
Kujiuzulu kwa Benedict kunafungua uwezekano nadra wa kumuona Papa mpya akisimama pamoja na Papa aliyemtangulia wakati wa kutawazwa kwake.
Baba mtakatifu Benedict alizaliwa April 16 mwaka 1927 nchini Ujerumani akiwa na jina la Joseph Ratzinger. Aliwekewa mikono ya baraka kuwa kasisi mwaka 1951 na kuwa kadinali mwaka 1977. Joseph Ratzinger alichaguliwa na kuwa Papa Benedict wa 16 mwaka 2005.