11/02/2013 BBC World News

$:/STARTFEED. This is BBC World News.

This is a news special coverage of the moment us to news that the Pope,

Benedict 16th has announced he is to resign, leaving his post at the

end of February, February 28th. The statement from the Vatican says

he's come to the certainty that "My strength due to an advanced age are

no longer suited to the adequate exercise of the ministry". He says

in today's world, subject to so many changes and shaken by

questions of deep relevance for the life of faith, he feels that

strength of mind and body are necessary, strength which in the

last few months has deteriorated in me to the extent that I've had to

recognise my incapacity to adequately fulfil the ministry

entrusted to me. I'm joined by Emily Buchanan. This

is an absolutely astonishing announcement? It certainly is. It

just makes me think back to the last year or two of John Paul II's

reign as Pope. Joseph Ratzinger, now Benedict XVI would have been

close to him and effectively running the church. So perhaps he's

looking at the situation thinking he doesn't want to be in a

situation where he's thinking he's inadequate and unable to do his

day-to-day work and having to hand over to other people. That's

effectively what John Paul II had to do. This is the first

resignation in nearly 600 years. People are bound to ask the

convulsions around the child abuse saga that's rocked the Catholic

Church - has that been too much for this Pope to handle? Is there any

smoking gun, you know, accusations that the Vatican knew more than it

was allowed to say publicly? Many questions raised by this? There

will be many, many questions, absolutely, and there's been a lot

of pressure on the Vatican, probably more than at any other

time over the sexual abuse scandals which don't seem to end.

Just to remind us very quickly, we have seen this surface in Europe?

And America. There have been legal cases, there's been questions about

compensation. These are pictures from today of the Pope, just to let

everyone know, Pope Benidict XVIth, 85 years old, the first Pontiff to

announce his resignation in nearly 600 years. He'll resign at the end

of February. The Vatican is saying that they'll of course then begin

the succession process, possibly to be completed by the end of March.

He has been a very devisive figure, not only on the whole child abuse

scandal and how the Pope should have handled that, how the Vatican

should have handled that, but all the other questions about birth

control and gay marriage? He was perhaps even more devisive before

he took office. He seems to have million lowed a bit. But all the

questions on whether the church is allowed to change its views on

allowing women a greater role, you know, the whole question of married

priests which of course has become much sharper when you've seen the

drift of Anglican priests into the Catholic Church and, of course,

they are already married. That's meant many people started asking

the question, shouldn't Catholic priests be allowed to marry? There

are many priests soon to retire, certainly in the Western world.

There's a lot of concern as to whether there'll be enough priests.

Also online Emily is Steve Evans in Germany. How has the news been

received there? How was he thought of in the time since he was

appointed Pope? I think it's fair to say with shock.

Chancellor Merkel's spokesman was giving a press conference a short

time ago. The routine Government press conference. It was put to him

and he said it would be a very moving announcement so they clearly

had no inkling that it was about to come but he said it would be a very

moving announcement. A spokesman for Chancellor Merkel said the

German-born Pope deserved respect and gratitude for his nearly eight

years as Pontiff. But he started off with a pretty controversial

record in the eyes of many? Yes. You were talking earlier about the

war years, for example, and there's been controversy amongst historians

about that. He found himself in 1941, his 14th birthday passed and

under the laws at the time, you join that - the youth at that time.

According to his brother, he was unenthusiastic about it, took no

more part than he had to as a lad living in this country at that time.

But of course, if you have a Pope who had been no more namly at least

in the Nazi party, that becomes controversial, particularly given

the controversy over the role of the Catholic Church during that

time also -- nominally. His defenders pointed out that he has a

disabled cousin who was executed, killed, murdered by the Nazis under

thaw eugenics programme. So all kinds of controversy, even

controversy when he came on his first official visit to this

country two years ago, 18 months ago, because the victims of child

abuse, for example, wanted a much more public recognition of what

they'd gone through. What he said was, the church was a

fisherman's net which takes in bad fish and good fish, so he wrestled

with that problem. At the same time, the quote progressives and quote

within the church in Germany were saying there should have been more

movement on married priests, for example, and on recognition of what

the celebat priesthood had, the background to the whole child abuse

controversy. He tried to steer a middle way between those two

factions, if you like, and in the meantime, the numbers of Catholics

within Germany plummeted. On the latest estimate something like

181,000 Catholics left the church the year before he came.

So, a very, very difficult path to tread. In that kind of

controversial mine field really, there were people who weren't happy.

Thank you very much indeed there for now in Germany. We are going to

cross to Spain. A deeply Catholic country. Tom Burridge is there.

What reaction in the last few moments to this moment us to news,

Pope Benidict XVI is to resign? Yes. We actually have got through

to a priest in a parish here in Madrid who, you know, like everyone,

said he was hugely surprised. He heard no rumours, had no

conversations with colleagues, friends within religious circles

here in the Spanish capital about any possibility that the Pope might

be setting down. He talks of his consternation really at the fact

that he had no inclination that this was coming and is surprised

like everyone else. Has there been criticism of the Pope there as

there has been in other parts of the world, the way the Vatican

followed the child abuse allegations? He followed a very

popular leader of the church and how is he regarded in Spain?

I think Spain has an uneasy relationship with the church,

modern state, that is. It's traditionally a Catholic country.

The older generations of this country are still very Catholic.

Younger Spain is increasingly secular and the Pope came to

Barcelona back in 2010. He had a visit then. He was very critical of

the previous policies of the former Prime Minister of Spain, Louis

Zappatero. He brought in gay marriage laws, legalised gay

marriage, relaxed laws over abortion, laws that went down very

controversially within a certain section in Spain. Spain is the

interesting contradick shen one you talk about religion. Some parts of

the society are very Catholic and will be watching with huge interest

here today -- contradiction. There will be a lot of shock but there

will be another section of society, the left-wing of Spain, the younger

generations in Spain, who're increasingly secular and

increasingly disenfranchised or even distanced from the Catholic

Church. Thank you very much indeed, Tom

Burridge, in Madrid. The Israeli Chief Rabbi's praised the Pope's

interreligious beliefs. We are joined on the phone by Lavinia birn,

a former theologian and Catholic none. Tell us your views? Well, in

this extraordinary circumstance, we are moving him from office --

removing him from office, it's a moment of trauma for the Catholic

Church. Can you explain why that is? I think the sense of shock of

leadership suddenly not being there any longer. The leadership of this

Pope has been principally in theology. I think he found pastoral

care far more difficult, hence the fact he didn't respond particularly

quickly to issues around the abuse of children, married priests and so

on. Hasn't that effectively threatened the very foundations of

the whole church though? Isn't it actually time for the Catholic

Church to move on to modernise? It needs a fresh start? I would

certainly say so. The person who comes in next has got to take a

step backwards and think about the use of power in the church. All of

these issues can actually become a heading. The Vatican wants to

represent leadership in the church and at the same time wants to

enable by diversification and by the growth of local command.

were saying earlier about the way that he handled pastoral care

versus the theology part of his task. Was he the wrong Pope for the

wrong time? Obviously, the child abuse scandals rocked the church

after his name was announced? Evidently. But they are all covered

with the same brush and there is suspicion there would be cover-up,

so of course that needs addressing. I'm very sorry that he feels he's

not well enough to go on, because part of the witness of the briefest

Pope was that he did go on, he killed himself in the job, John

Paul II, and there was something rather amazing about the fact that

he persevered. Even when he was so evidently ill... I just want to let

people know that we are looking at pictures of a press conference from

the Vatican that's happening live. We are trying to get the sound and

translation on that because the Pope announces his resignation in

Latin. We saum some pictures of him making that announcement earlier --

saw some pictures of him making that announcement earlier. To an

ordinary Catholic, can I ask you, do they feel a personal connection

to the Pope still? We prayed for the Pope every time mass is said.

But I think that we have far less a sense of connection to this Pope

because he seemed bemused when he was in public. He was enchanted

when he came to England. Yet he didn't make a real connection with

people. Why was that? Because of his own personality? Because of his

history as a young boy controversially referred to? Was it

the way he was not handling the many criticisms and questions

coming to the Vatican? I think it was the fact he spent so much time

in the congregation for the doctrine of the faith, making

inquiries about people's Orthodoxy. That put him on the back foot.

He said that it's both strength and mind and body that are necessary

and have deteriorated to the point where with full freedom knowing the

seriousness of that, he is resigning. Is that seen in any way

as letting down all the many millions of members of the church?

I don't think letting down. I mean, he needed evidently to gauge his

own strength. But I do think that the question of witness of an older

person struggling is one you can't duck. Does that mean when his

successor is appointed, age has to be a critical factor? It could be,

couldn't it. How do you think Catholics will feel today? Well,

baffled and, in a sense, traumatised because leadership is

evaporating before their very eyes. Do you feel that what the Pope now

says still has the same influence as it did? Certainly in Europe, of

course, you know, church attendance has fallen over many, many years,

in other parts of the world, it's on the increase. In a practical

sense, how does the leadership of the Catholic Church, the one person

that is Head of This vast organisation, how does that affect

the ordinary lives of people? It could be there'd be a different

view of loyalty and it would be mutual. OK, we will leave it there.

Thanks very much indeed for joining us. We are joined now by our

correspondent. In Africa, of course - you are in South Africa, but the

Catholic Church - a huge reach across the continent - what's the

reaction there? It is estimated the size of the Catholic Church in

Africa is 158 million out of a population of 800 million. It is

one of the fastest growing regions in the world for the Catholic

Church, if not the fastest. There are 16 Cardinals from Africa. By

2025, it is estimated, the membership of the Catholic Church

will have risen to 230 million. There'll be some astonishment at

this news as the news begins to spread across the continent. How is

the Pope, this Pope, regarded in Africa? He's made visits to Africa

since becoming Pope. He went in 2011. His first was a join trip to

Cameron and Anglo-la in 2009. He said that condoms were not

necessarily the answer to the HIV crisis in Africa, despite the fact

that 22 million people across the continent are infected with the HIV

virus. He said that condoms might only make the situation worse. That

drew some criticism from AIDS campaigners, including the

Treatment Action Campaign, which is the leading group. He said the Pope

should -- they said the Pope should Just to pick up on the question of

sexual health - the fact he made those statements, regardless of the

HIV crisis that is still gripping Africa, doesn't that, you know,

mean that he actually was the wrong person at the wrong time? First of

all, his remarks would not have come as a surprise to many on the

African continent. A lot of conservative values there and a

very strong religious body there who would share those views. One of

the things that the Catholic Church has done a key role in on the

continent of Africa is despite the insistence on no condoms, one thing

the Catholic Church has done is play a leading role when it helps

people suffering from HIV/AIDS. Over 50% of the interventions, in

whatever form they can, whether helping those who are HIV-positive,

or those suffering from AIDS in any form, are run by the Catholic

Church, directly or indirectly. am hearing a report from AP that

the Pope's doctor has told him not to take any transatlantic trips for

health reasons. We don't know more than the official statement that

the Pope feels that his meantal and physical health was not -- menal

and physical health was not sufficient for him to carry on in

this role. It was noticeable when he came to England how people were

just so excited to get a glimpse of this figure. The same, of course,

in Africa. Especially on the continent of Africa, where he

generated a lot of excitement and support there. The Catholic Church

on continent has a strong influence, as you just heard being spoken

about there. Countries like Nigeria, you have the Democratic Republic of

Congo and French-speaking Africa, very high Catholic populations in

those countries. The other thing the Pope tends to inspire on the

continent and the Catholic Church, is they tend to see the Catholic

Church taking a front line in civic action, that sort of thing.

Elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo - in the

aftermath of that the Catholic Church was playing a key role at

the front of trying to address those issues in Cameron, recently a

retired Cardinal criticising the President over corruption and the

record there. So, this is something that is seen a lot on the continent

when people look at the Catholic Church and the Pope. I know it

might seem early to speak about who might come yet. People will be

lobbying soon. It is very interesting you should say that. Do

you remember the last time when he came on, the replacement - there

was a lot of excitement on the continent, could this be the time

we get an African Pope and one from Nigeria was being talked about. I

have been looking at our Facebook page, BBC Africa right now, a lot

of comments there, saying is it time now for an African Pope to

come on? The question of succession and replacement. What sort of

figure? He is widely seen as conservative. As many religious are

conservative when it comes to issues. He has a lot of support on

the continent and especially in the global south. So, he's the kind of

figure that would attract a lot of support in that sense, but we'll

have to wait and see what happens and who he will run against - if at

all his name was being considered. Just to let everyone know, there is

a statement from the Israeli Chief Rabbi praising the Pope's

interreligious outreach, saying relations between Israel and the

Vatican have never been better. They hope that trend will continue.

It goes on to say that he thinks that the Pope deserves a lot of

credit for advancing into religious links between Judaism, Christianity

and Islam. We broadcast the Pope's Easter messages, the New Year

messages and the global following, despite falling attendances in

Europe, the global following is still vast. It is vast. In Africa,

it is actually growing. You heard Peter Biles talking about the

number. When it comes to numbers on the continent is the rise of the

Evangelical charges which have attracted, especially, the younger,

the middle class, the aspirational group, a lot going to the

Evangelical churches. That has challenged the more established

church. Despite that, numbers have continued to grow. A Vatican

spokesman saying the Pope is not resigning because of difficulties

in papacy. The official reason is the Pope

felt his strength of mind and body are necessary strengths, which he

feels in the last few months has deteriorated to such an extent that

he felt he was unable to continue. It is an absolutely historic moment.

We have not seen the resignation of a Pope for nearly 600 years.

To what degree is the personality of a Pope - the actual human being

behind the office - how much does that matter to ordinary Catholics?

A lot. Especially to those Catholics who would be on the

African continent because many of them would have a lot of challenges

they are dealing with. If in the personality of the Pope they can

see someone who is approachable, someone who seems to radiate

empathy and has a sense of understanding of hardship and knows

what it means to aspire to be in a better place, they connect with

that Pope. His predecessor was popular on the continent, as indeed

he has been. You talked about there about how we have not seen the

resignation of a Pope for 600 years. I was looking at our Facebook page

where a lot of viewers and listeners are having reactions put.

There is a comment I have seen a lot - I didn't know it was possible

for a Pope to resign. So, for many of them as well this comes as a

surprise, because they didn't know it was possible. Just our Europe

editor is filing a report for us, saying that it was believed that

the Pope might have had two mild strokes and that in recent months

there have been signs that the Pope's health was deteriorating.

Steve Evans, our correspondent, I believe is in Germany. And Steve,

the revelations about sexual and physical abuse of children in

Catholic institutions - the arguments about women priests and

so on, how much of that has brought down the reputation of this Pope?

Or how much of that is seen as a side issue by those who support the

Church? I think it's absolutely central.

In a way, you can, well, on the latest figures, 181,000 - are

181,000 fewer Catholics than there were the previous year. And the

critics of the Pope would say that is because of the abuse scandal and

the failure of the Catholic hierarchy to deal with it in a full

manner - if I can put it that way. Somebody has just handed me a bit

of paper. One of the papers here is quoting an interview or something

he said in an interview quite recently. It's in German.Ly try and

translate it as I go along. If the Pope comes to the clear recognition

that his physical strength is not there, then he has a duty to resign.

Steve, I will just interrupt you. I want to tell everyone you are

looking at pictures from today of the Pope, we believe making that

resignation statement in Latin, within the Vatican. Sorry to

interrupt you T Vatican spokesman said it has left -- the Italian

Prime Minister said, "I am greatly shaken by this unexpected news."

These are the pictures of Pope Benedict XVI making his historic

and dramatic announcement, in Latin, in the Vatican, that he is to

resign. He is going to leave his post, where he was appointed some

eight years ago. He will leave at the end of February, February 28th.

This news is simply shaking the Catholic Church worldwide. He's the