New Pope probably by end of March - Vatican spokesman

February 11, 2013 - A new pope will probably be elected by the end of March, Vatican spokesman Fr. Federico Lombardi said on Monday, after Pope Benedict XVI shocked the world with his announcement that he would resign because he was too weak to fulfill the duties of his office. Pope Benedict said he would step down on Feb. 28 and would not take part in the conclave to elect a new pope, Father Federico Lombardi told reporters at a press conference in the Vatican. After resigning, the former Pope will move to a summer residence near Rome. After that, he will live in a former monastery within Vatican territory, Fr. Lombardi said. The Pope does not fear schism in the Church after his resignation, the spokesman said. Pope had shown "great courage, determination" aware of the "great problems the Church faces today", he said, adding the timing may have reflected the Pope's desire to avoid the exhausting rush of Easter engagements.
Fr. Lombardi recalled that the German Pontiff had alluded to the possibility of his resignation in the book, ‘Light of the World’, a series of answers to questions posed to him by German journalist Peter Seewald in 2010. Earlier, soon after his election in 2005, on several occasions he referred to his personal limitations and limited abilities in need of God’s help. In his homily at Mass marking the beginning of his ministry on April 24th 2005, the Pope spoke of himself as a “weak servant of God” assuming “this enormous task which truly exceeds all human capacity.” And on May 7th, as he officially took possession of Rome Diocese as Bishop of Rome at the Basilica of St John Lateran, Pope Benedict stressed that “The one who holds the office of the Petrine ministry must be aware that he is a frail and weak human being – just as his own powers are frail and weak – constantly in need of purification and conversion. During the press conference on Monday, Vatican spokesman, Fr. Federico Lombardi made it very clear to journalists that Pope Benedict’s decision to resign is the fruit, not of any external pressures but simply the desire to remain obedient to the word of God, whom he intends to continue serving “through a life dedicated to prayer” and reflection.
The last Pope to resign willingly was Celestine V in 1294 after reigning for only five months. Gregory XII reluctantly abdicated in 1415 to end a dispute with a rival claimant to the papacy.