Article updated: 2/11/2013 11:11 AM

Vatican: Benedict XVI too weary to remain pope

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Pope Benedict XVI delivers his blessing Monday at the end of a meeting of Vatican cardinals at the Vatican.

associated press

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The Vatican stressed on Monday that no specific medical condition prompted Benedict's decision to become the first pontiff to resign in 600 years. Still, Benedict said his advanced age means he no longer has the necessary mental and physical strength to lead the world's more than one billion Roman Catholics.

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