After 600 years without a Pope resignation, the chain has been broken; Pope Benedict XVI has made a final decision to step down. At 85 years old, he has stated that he has decided to resign due to health reasons as well as his age.

As transcribed by Vatican Radio, in Pope Benedict’s declaration, he said, “After having repeatedly examined my conscience before God, I have come to the certainty that my strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry.”

A Cardinal over 70 years old will not be permitted to participate in the conclave, meaning all Cardinals will have been born after to World War II, where most of their lives have been affected by Vatican II. Benedict will keep his title as Cardinal, yet he cannot vote in the concave to replace him, due to the rule that Cardinals only of the age 70 or younger may vote in the conclave to elect a new Pope; although, he is still able to express his opinion.

Pope Benedict ended his message to the public by exclaiming, “With regard to myself, I wish to also devotedly serve the Holy Church of God in the future through a life dedicated to prayer.” Although he is resigning, Pope Benedict plans to stay involved in the religious community, as he still plans to live a life devoted to the Catholic Church.