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Podcasts Take Two
Pope Benedict XVI, 85, resigns due to waning physical and mental strength
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Feb 11, 2013
Listen • 5:33
Pope Benedict XVI, 85, resigns due to waning physical and mental strength
Catholic Church parishioners are waking up today to the news that Pope Benedict the 16th is stepping down. It's been nearly 600 years since a Pope resigned from leading the Roman Catholic Church.
This file picture taken on December 29, 2012, in St.Peter's square at the Vatican shows Pope Benedict XVI saluting as he arrives to the ecumenical christian community of Taize during their European meeting. Pope Benedict XVI on February 11, 2013 announced he will resign on February 28, a Vatican spokesman told AFP, which will make him the first pope to do so in centuries.
This file picture taken on December 29, 2012, in St.Peter's square at the Vatican shows Pope Benedict XVI saluting as he arrives to the ecumenical christian community of Taize during their European meeting. Pope Benedict XVI on February 11, 2013 announced he will resign on February 28, a Vatican spokesman told AFP, which will make him the first pope to do so in centuries.
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ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP/Getty Images
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Catholic Church parishioners are waking up today to the news that Pope Benedict the 16th is stepping down. It's been nearly 600 years since a Pope resigned from leading the Roman Catholic Church.

Catholic Church parishioners are waking up today to the news that Pope Benedict the 16th is stepping down. It's been nearly 600 years since a Pope resigned from leading the Roman Catholic Church.

Benedict, 85, says he has no specific medical conditions forcing him to retire, but he says he no longer has the mental or physical strength to lead the more than 1 billion Catholics worldwide.

This news comes as the Los Angeles Archdiocese is surrounded by controversy over recently released files detailing cases of sexual abuse in the church. KPCC reporter Brian Watt joins the show from Saint Monica's Church in Santa Monica.