Pope Benedict sends shock through resignation

Pope Benedict XVI is to resign at the end of this month in an unexpected development, saying he is too old to continue at the age of 85, according to a report from BBC.

He became Pope in 2005 following John Paul II's death.

Resignations from the papacy are not unknown, but this is the first in the modern era, which has been marked by pontiffs dying while in office.

At 78, the former Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was one of the oldest new popes in history when elected.

The BBC's Alan Johnston in Rome says the news has come "out of the blue", and that there was no speculation whatsoever about the move in recent days.

A Vatican spokesman indicated that even the Pope's closest aides did not know what he was planning to do.

Born in Germany in 1927, joined Hitler Youth during WWII and was conscripted as an anti-aircraft gunner but deserted

As Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger spent 24 years in charge of Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith - once known as the Holy Office of the Inquisition

A theological conservative, with uncompromising views on homosexuality and women priests

He took the helm as one of the fiercest storms the Catholic Church has faced in decades _ the scandal of child sex abuse by priests _ was breaking.

The Vatican says it expects the period between the Pope's resignation and the election of his successor to be as brief as possible, but there has been no confirmation on when cardinals will meet to choose a new pontiff.

In a statement, the pontiff 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.