Article updated: 2/11/2013 1:31 PM

Pope’s mission to revive faith clouded by scandal

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Pope Benedict XVI greets the crowd from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica moments after being elected at the Vatican.

associated press/April 2005

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While taking the Vatican and world by surprise, Benedict XVI had laid the groundwork for the decision years ago, saying popes have the obligation to resign if they can't carry on. And to many, his decision was perfectly in keeping with a man who had dedicated his life to the church, showing his love for the institution and an acknowledgment that it needed new blood to confront the future.

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