We begin with breaking news. Pope benedict xvi resigning. Age and fatigue are the reasons behind his resignation. Here is what the Statement Reads in part 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. This tweet came from the popes account 23 hours ago. We must trust in the mitty power of gods mercy. We are all sinners, but his grace transforms us and makes us new. This would be historical. The last time a pope resigned happened 600 years ago. That would be pope gregory iv in 1415. The very first pope to resign was pope clement in the year 101, 1,100 years ago roughly that the first pope resigned. Many questions about whether popes in modern times think resignation is acceptable or not. Pope benedict said, in fact, made it very clear that being able to resign was acceptable and made this part of the Statement Released
Little bit on this friday. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. Thanks for being with me. Im brooke baldwin. Now we take you to washington. Wolf blitzer. The situation room. Brooke, thanks very much. New plans for ending the war in afghanistan. President obama meets with the afghan President Hamid karzai. The white house looks at the connection between video game and gun violence as battle lines form in the looming fight over gun control. And a new report on the flu. We now have a clearer picture of where this epidemic stands. Im wolf blitzer. Youre in the situation room. Its the longest war in u. S. History and now were learninging new details about how president obama intends to end it for the United States. After meeting with hamid karzai at the white house, the president said the u. S. Will probably be able to speed up, to accelerate plan troop withdraws. Some americans will remain, presumably, their role, though, potentially becoming clearer. Our White House Correspondent Bria
Be it can also find us online. John the conversation join the conversation. The front page of politicos website we will talk about lobbying later on this morning. First, lets look at the five stings it says to watch the president obama address tonight. , do you think state of the Union Addresses matter . Thats our question for you. On facebook we have a poll where you can weigh in. The Washington Post says the impact of annual addresses does not intend to be longlasting. What do you stinkpot . Jim in therapy what do you think . Jim in fairfax station. Caller no, they dont matter. Its an opportunity to look at what is said in a state of the union and move forward a year after it and assess what was promised and what was positioned and hold that person accountable. In so many instances you hear president on both sides talk a very big game. And then they failed to deliver. I am a little disappointed but theres not a greater body of media reporting that says this is what that person said a
Evening, and he still carried on until he died. Well, Pope Benedict xiv decided to go against almost every rule as the last pope that resigned was in the 13th century, and decide the to just give away to a younger pope that may be has got more strength and stamina to carry on with the churchs mission. The basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception is the largest Roman Catholic church on this continent right here in northeast washington. Jim rosenfield has reaction from the popes news from the spiritual leaders of washingtons catholics. Jim . Reporter cardinal wuehrl expressing surprise. He got the call telling him the pope plans to abdicate coming up just a a little over two weeks from today i want my first reaction. Was its very startling, totally unprepared for it. The second reaction was, were going to have to now think a little differently. This will be the first time in modern history that weve had a pope resign. How do we work with all of that . Reporter but the
This nations highest award for military valor. Nightly news begins now. From nbc news World Headquarters in new york, this is nbc nightly news with brian williams. Good evening. It came out of nowhere. And it stunned the over 1 billion catholics around the world when the pope announced early this morning, our time, he is stepping down, abdicating. This hasnt happened in seven centuries. Pope benedict has served during a troubling time for the Catholic Church. He says he doesnt have the strength to carry on. His departure now opens up the potential for a huge period of change for a church thats been faced with changing times around the world. We have two reports to start with tonight, beginning with our chief foreign correspondent, richard engel. Richard, good evening. Reporter good evening, brian. Even the popes closest aides said they were stunned. The pope was expected to address a routine meeting of cardinals when he made this announcement. The pope surprised everyone, announcing in