In a speech delivered Monday, Feb. 11, Pope Benedict XVI announced his resignation citing his deteriorating health and advanced age. Benedict, originally known as Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, is the first Pope to resign in nearly six centuries.

“In today’s world, subject to so many rapid changes and shaken by questions of deep relevance for the life of faith, in order to govern the bark of St. Peter and proclaim the Gospel, both strength of mind and body are necessary, strength which in the last few months has deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognize my incapacity to adequately fulfill the ministry entrusted to me,” Benedict said in his announcement.

Close family and friends had known of the Pope’s decision for quite some time. “His age was taking its toll,” Benedict’s brother Father Ratzinger said in a statement to German news agency DPA.

Benedict’s tenure as Pope was plagued with scandals within the Catholic Church including multiple child-abuse incidents. Benedict faced strong criticism for his seemingly-weak stance on child-abuse.

The news shocked Rome and eventually made its way to the rest of the world. World leaders, such as President Barack Obama, offered statements about Benedict’s work. “I have appreciated our work together over these last four years,” Obama said. “The church plays a critical role in the United States and the world, and I wish the best to those who will soon gather to choose His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI’s successor.”