AN UNEXPECTED RESIGNATION

Pope Benedict XVI has just announced that he is resigning with effect from the end of this month. Aged 85, he has been looking frail in recent months, so it is understandable that he wants to stop.

Nevertheless, it is a surprising event. For popes, like monarchs, tend to be in the job until they die. Only a handful have ever resigned, the last being in 1415, when Gregory XII did it. That happened because the number of popes and anti-popes had become a bit ridiculous, with three in the frame. The Council of Constance cut through the Gordian knot by getting rid of all three of them and then electing Martin V in their place.

Given the timing, it is likely that a new pope will be elected in time for Easter. A number of people are hoping for a further surprise, with the Catholic church opting for someone completely new; an African, perhaps, or South American. However, after two non-Italians in a row, I suspect that the conclave will go back to the traditional choice, and pick an Italian again.

Walter Blotscher