"The Pope is retiring. That stunning announcement is made by Navarro-Valls, Director of the Vatican in a special press conference made hours after a joyous celebration today of the Beatification of Mother Theresa.

'...For the continued reform and progress of the Church, the Holy Spirit has moved His Apolistic Father, Pope John Paul II, to retire. The future of the Pontificate is to be decided according to the Universi Dominici Gregis at the next conclave of Cardinals.' Navarro-Valls did not specifically mention the physical condition of the Pope, who suffers from Parkinson's disease, and arthritis, as a possible factor in his decision, something which Vatican insiders have strongly suggested.

The retirement is unprecedented in the history of the Vatican, now it is up to the..."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/ 31903558.stm