Pope: Resignation for 'The Good of the Church' - East Idaho News
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Pope: Resignation for ‘The Good of the Church’

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Getty 021313 PopeBenedict?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1360785873187GABRIEL BOUYS,GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty Images(VATICAN CITY) — Pope Benedict XVI addressed worshippers Wednesday, making his first public comments since announcing his resignation.

The pope explained his reasoning for stepping down, saying he’s doing so for “the good of the church.”

He also stated that he’s resigning “in full liberty,” a statement that some believe is the Vatican’s way of pushing back against conspiracy theories about the pontiff’s departure.

The pope participated in an Ash Wednesday service on this first day of lent.

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