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Pope Benedict XVI has announced that he is to resign on February 28, 2013. ROME, ITALY - APRIL 06: Pope Benedict XVI waves to the faithful gathered at the Colosseum during the Way Of The Cross procession on Good Friday April 6, 2012 in Rome, Italy. The traditional Catholic procession on Good Friday recalls the crucifixion of Jesus Christ ahead of Sunday's Easter holiday. (Photo by Franco Origlia/Getty Images)

Pope Benedict XVI has announced that he is to resign on February 28, 2013 GUARANTIGUETA, BRAZIL - MAY 12: Pope Benedict XVI embraces children during a visit at the Fazenda da Esperanca, a facility for recovering drug addicts, May 12, 2007 in Guaratingueta, Brazil. The pope is on a five-day visit to Brazil. (Photo by Franco Origlia/Getty Images)

Pope Benedict XVI has announced that he is to resign on February 28, 2013. FREIBURG IM BREISGAU, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 25: Pope Benedict XVI delivers a speech before leaving Germany at Lahr Black Forest airport on September 25, 2011 near Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany.The Pope is in Freiburg on the last of a four-day visit to Germany, and he will conclude his trip with an open air Sunday mass. (Photo by Johannes Simon/Getty Images)

Pope Benedict XVI has announced that he is to resign on February 28, 2013 LONDON - SEPTEMBER 18: Pope Benedict XVI attends a Mass at Westminster Cathedral during the third day of his State Visit on September 18, 2010 in London, England. During the four day visit Pope Benedict will celebrate mass, conduct a prayer vigil as well as beatify Cardinal Newman at an open air mass in Cofton Park. His Holiness will meet The Queen as well as political and religious representatives. (Photo by Andrew Winning - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Pope Benedict XVI greets the youth in front of a huge Jesus Christ portrait in Krakow in this May 27, 2006 file photo. Pope Benedict said on February 11, 2013 he will resign on Feb 28 because he no longer has the strength to fulfill the duties of his office, becoming the first pontiff since the Middle Ages to take such a step. REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay/Files

A file picture taken on May 12, 2009 shows Pope Benedict XVI praying at the Western Wall in Jerusalem's Old City. Pope Benedict XVI announced on February 11, 2013 he will resign on February 28 because his age prevented him from carrying out his duties, an unprecedented move in the modern history of the Catholic Church. AFP PHOTO/POOL/RONEN ZVULUNRONEN ZVULUN/AFP/Getty Images

Pope Benedict XVI has announced that he is to resign on February 28, 2013 CASTEL GANDOLFO, ITALY - JULY 26: Pope Benedict XVI reads papers in his summer residence on July 26, 2010 in Castel Gandolfo, near Rome, Italy. The Pontiff will visit England from September 16 - 19. (Photo by L'Osservatore Romano - Vatican Pool via Getty Images)

Pope Benedict XVI watches the movie "Karol, un uomo divenuto papa" ("Karol, a man who became Pope"), to remember the late Pope John Paul II at the Vatican in this May 19, 2005 file photo. Pope Benedict said on February 11, 2013 he will resign on Feb 28 because he no longer has the strength to fulfill the duties of his office, becoming the first pontiff since the Middle Ages to take such a step. REUTERS/Max Rossi/Files

Pope Benedict XVI prays inside St Paul's Grotto in Rabat, outside Valletta, in this April 17, 2010 file photo. Pope Benedict said on February 11, 2013 he will resign on Feb 28 because he no longer has the strength to fulfill the duties of his office, becoming the first pontiff since the Middle Ages to take such a step. REUTERS/Osservatore Romano/Files

Pope Benedict XVI greets participants of the first European Meeting of University Students at the Vatican in this July 11, 2009 file photo. Pope Benedict said on February 11, 2013 he will resign on Feb 28 because he no longer has the strength to fulfill the duties of his office, becoming the first pontiff since the Middle Ages to take such a step. REUTERS/Osservatore Romano/Files

In this Sunday, April 24, 2005 file photo, Pope Benedict XVI greets the crowd after celebrating his installation Mass in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican. Pope Benedict XVI announced Monday, Feb. 11, 2013, he would resign Feb. 28 because he is simply too old to carry on. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia, File)

Pope Benedict XVI waves from the popemobile on his way for an evening prayer service at Notre Dame Cathedral on September 12, 2008 in Paris during his first visit to France. Pope Benedict XVI announced on February 11, 2013 he will resign on February 28, the first pontiff to step down in centuries. OLIVIER LABAN-MATTEI/AFP/Getty Images

A file picture taken on September 14, 2008 shows Pope Benedict XVI holding a monstrance during a ceremony following an eucharistic procession at La Prairie in Lourdes. Benedict XVI announced on February 11, 2013 he will resign on February 28 because his age prevented him from carrying out his duties, an unprecedented move in the modern history of the Catholic Church. ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP/Getty Images

Picture taken on July 8, 2006 of Pope Benedict XVI waving to pilgrims on arrival at the Generalitat Palace in Valencia. Pope Benedict XVI announced on February 11, 2013 he will resign as leader of the world's 1.1 billion Catholics on February 28 because his age prevented him from carrying out his duties -- an unprecedented move in the modern history of the Catholic Church. JAVIER BARBANCHO/AFP/Getty Images

A file handout picture taken on March 28, 2012 and released by the Osservatore Romano shows Pope Benedict XVI arriving for the holy mass at Revolution Square in Havana. Pope Benedict XVI announced on February 11, 2013 he will resign on February 28 because his age prevented him from carrying out his duties, an unprecedented move in the modern history of the Catholic Church. AFP PHOTO / OSSERVATORE ROMANO

A file picture taken on April 19, 2005 shows Germany's Joseph Ratzinger, the new Pope Benedict XVI, waving to the crowd from the window of St Peter's Basilica's main balcony after being elected the 265th pope of the Roman at the Vatican City.Benedict XVI announced on February 11, 2013 he will resign on February 28 because his age prevented him from carrying out his duties, an unprecedented move in the modern history of the Catholic Church. PATRICK HERTZOG/AFP/Getty Images

A picture taken on September 25, 2011 in Freiburg of German-born Pope Benedict XVI greeted as he arrives on his popemobile through the crowd before holding a mass on the grounds of the airport. Pope Benedict XVI announced on February 11, 2013 he will resign on February 28 as leader of the world's 1.1 billion Catholics on February 28 because his age prevented him from carrying out his duties -- an unprecedented move in the modern history of the Catholic Church.JOHANNES EISELE/AFP/Getty Images

A file picture taken on April 20, 2008 shows Pope Benedict XVI greeting people after celebrating a mass at the Yankee Stadium in New York. Pope Benedict XVI announced on February 11, 2013 he will resign on February 28 because his age prevented him from carrying out his duties, an unprecedented move in the modern history of the Catholic Church. CHANG W. LEE/AFP/Getty Images

A file picture taken on May 28, 2006 shows Pope Benedict XVI standing in front of the death wall at former Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz in Oswiecim. Pope Benedict XVI announced on February 11, 2013 he will resign on February 28 because his age prevented him from carrying out his duties, an unprecedented move in the modern history of the Catholic Church. PIER PAOLO CITO/AFP/Getty Images

Pope Benedict XVI has announced that he is to resign on February 28, 2013 GLASGOW, UNITED KINGDOM - SEPTEMBER 16: Pope Benedict XVI kisses a young child as he arrives for the Papal Mass at Bellahouston Park on September 16, 2010 in Glasgow, Scotland. Pope Benedict XVI is conducting the first state visit to the UK by a Pontiff. During the four day visit Pope Benedict will celebrate mass, conduct a prayer vigil as well as beatify Cardinal Newman at an open air mass in Cofton Park. His Holiness will meet The Queen as well as political and religious representatives. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

In this Friday, Sept. 12, 2008 file photo, Pope Benedict XVI waves to wellwishers as he leaves the Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris, following a vespers service. Pope Benedict XVI announced Monday, Feb. 11, 2013, he would resign Feb. 28 because he is simply too old to carry on. (AP Photo/Philippe Wojazer, Pool, File)

Pope Benedict XVI has announced that he is to resign on February 28, 2013. VATICAN CITY, VATICAN - APRIL 19: Newly elected Pope Benedict XVI appears on the central balcony of St Peter's Basilica on April 19, 2005 in Vatican City. German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was elected the 265th Pope and will lead the world's 1 billion Catholics. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images)

In this Sunday, Sunday, April 24, 2005 file photo, Pope Benedict XVI waves as he rides on the Popemobile through St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, following his installment Mass. Pope Benedict XVI announced Monday, Feb. 11, 2013, he would resign Feb. 28 because he is simply too old to carry on. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini, File)

Pope Benedict XVI wears a Saturno hat as he leaves at the end of his Wednesday general audience in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican in this June 3, 2009 file photo. Pope Benedict said on February 11, 2013 he will resign on Feb 28 because he no longer has the strength to fulfill the duties of his office, becoming the first pontiff since the Middle Ages to take such a step. REUTERS/Giampiero Sposito/Files

Pope Benedict XVI waves to the faithful during his weekly general audience in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican in this September 26, 2007 file photo. Pope Benedict said on February 11, 2013 he will resign on Feb 28 because he no longer has the strength to fulfill the duties of his office, becoming the first pontiff since the Middle Ages to take such a step. REUTERS/Tony Gentile/Files

In this Sunday, March 25, 2012 file photo, Pope Benedict XVI waves from the popemobile wearing a Mexican sombrero as he arrives to give a Mass in Bicentennial Park near Silao, Mexico. Pope Benedict XVI announced Monday, Feb. 11, 2013, he would resign Feb. 28 because he is simply too old to carry on. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo, File)

This April 24, 2005 file photo shows Pope Benedict XVI opening his arms as he celebrates his installment Mass in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican. Pope Benedict XVI announced Monday, Feb. 11, 2013 that he would resign on Feb. 28 because he was simply too infirm to carry on - the first pontiff to do so in nearly 600 years. The decision sets the stage for a conclave to elect a new pope before the end of March. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino, file)

This April 24, 2005 file photo shows Pope Benedict XVI,center, holding a cross as he celebrates his installment Mass in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Sunday, April 24, 2005. Benedict XVI announced Monday, Feb. 11, 2013, that he would resign on Feb. 28 because he was simply too infirm to carry on - the first pontiff to do so in nearly 600 years. The decision sets the stage for a conclave to elect a new pope before the end of March. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini, files)

A file handout picture taken on March 25, 2012 and released by the Osservatore Romano shows Pope Benedict XVI wearing a sombrero in Leon. AFP PHOTO / OSSERVATORE ROMANO

A photo taken in 1943 during World War II shows Joseph Ratzinger as a German Air Force assistant. Pope Benedict XVI announced on February 11, 2013 he will resign as leader of the world's 1.1 billion Catholics on February 28 because his age prevented him from carrying out his duties -- an unprecedented move in the modern history of the Catholic Church. AFP PHOTO/KNA-BILD/AFP/Getty Images

Pope Benedict XVI has announced that he is to resign on February 28, 2013. FREISING, GERMANY - 1959: The Ratzinger family; Joseph Ratzinger (L-R), mother Maria, father Joseph, sister Maria and brother Georg, are shown prior to their departure from the Bavarian town of Freising in Spring 1959. Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was elected Pope April 19, 2005 and has taken the name Benedict XVI. (Photo by German Catholic News Agency KNA via Getty Images)

Pope Benedict XVI has announced that he is to resign on February 28, 2013. RUHPOLDING, GERMANY - 1952: Joseph Ratzinger celebrates Mass at a mountain site near the Bavarian town of Ruhpolding, Germany in the summer of 1952. Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was elected Pope April 19, 2005 and has taken the name Benedict XVI. (Photo by German Catholic News Agency KNA via Getty Images)