Pope Benedict XVI waves from the popemobile on his way for an evening prayer service at Notre Dame Cathedral on September 12, 2008 in Paris during his first visit to France. Pope Benedict XVI announced on February 11, 2013 he will resign on February 28, the first pontiff to step down in centuries. (Photo by Olivier Laban-Mattei/AFP Photo)

Pope Benedict XVI greets the youth in front of a huge Jesus Christ portrait in Krakow in this May 27, 2006 file photo. Pope Benedict said on February 11, 2013 he will resign on Feb 28 because he no longer has the strength to fulfill the duties of his office, becoming the first pontiff since the Middle Ages to take such a step. (Photo by Wolfgang Rattay/Reuters)

This file picture taken on January 6, 2013 shows Pope Benedict XVI blessing faithful at the end of the Epiphany mass in St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. Pope Benedict XVI on February 11, 2013 announced he will resign on February 28, a Vatican spokesman told AFP, which will make him the first pope to do so in centuries. (Photo by Vincenzo Pinto/AFP Photo)

Pope Benedict XVI places a note in the Western Wall, Judaism's holiest prayer site, in Jerusalem's Old City May 12, 2009. Pope Benedict visited holy sites in Jerusalem at the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on Tuesday as part of a pilgrimage beset by Jewish disappointment over his remarks on the Holocaust. (Photo by David Silverman/Reuters/Pool)

In a file picture taken on September 16, 2010 Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, (L) and Pope Benedict XVI inspect a honour guard by members of the Royal Company of Archers and members of the Royal Regiment of Scotland Band as the Pope arrives at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, in Edinburgh, Scotland. Pope Benedict XVI announced on February 11, 2013 he will resign on February 28, the first pontiff to step down in centuries. In 2010, Pope Benedict made a historic first state visit to Britain by a pope. The tour was seen as a bridge-building mission between the Roman Catholic and Anglican churches and the pontiff held joint prayers with Welby's predecessor Rowan Williams. (Photo by Lefteris Pitarakis/AFP Photo)

A seagull flies past Pope Benedict XVI delivering his blessing during the Angelus prayer he celebrated from the window of his studio overlooking St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Sunday, February 3, 2013. (Photo by Alessandra Tarantino/AP Photo)

This file picture taken on December 29, 2012, in St.Peter's square at the Vatican shows Pope Benedict XVI saluting as he arrives to the ecumenical christian community of Taize during their European meeting. Pope Benedict XVI on February 11, 2013 announced he will resign on February 28, a Vatican spokesman told AFP, which will make him the first pope to do so in centuries. (Photo by Alberto Pizzoli/AFP Photo)

This June 16, 2010 file photo shows Pope Benedict XVI leaving at the end of his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican. On Monday, February 11, 2013 the Vatican announced that Pope Benedict XVI will resign on February 28, 2013. (Photo by Gregorio Borgia/AP Photo)

This handout picture released by the Vatican Press Office on February 11, 2013 shows Pope Benedict XVI addressing an ordinary consistory at The Vatican the same day. Pope Benedict XVI announced he will resign on February 28, a Vatican spokesman told AFP, which will make him the first pope to do so in centuries. (Photo by Obsservatore Romano via AFP Photo)

Pope Benedict XVI leaves after attending a meeting of Vatican cardinals where he read a document in Latin in which he announced his resignation, February 11, 2012. The Pope announced that he would resign February 28 – the first pontiff to do so in nearly 600 years. (Photo by L'Osservatore Romano)

People buy copies of the Vatican paper L'Osservatore Romano at a newsstand at the Vatican, Monday, February 11, 2013. Declaring that he lacks the strength to do his job, Pope Benedict XVI announced Monday, February 11, 2013 he will resign February 28, becoming the first pontiff to step down in 600 years. His decision sets the stage for a mid-March conclave to elect a new leader for a Roman Catholic Church in deep turmoil. (Photo by Alessandra Tarantino/AP Photo)

Faithful carry a cross on the steps of St Peter's basilica at the Vatican after it was announced that Pope Benedict XVI will resign on February 11, 2013. Pope Benedict XVI on February 11, 2013 announced he will resign on February 28, a Vatican spokesman told AFP, which will make him the first pope to do so in centuries. (Photo by Andreas Solaro/AFP Photo)

A lightning strikes St Peter's dome at the Vatican on February 11, 2013. Pope Benedict XVI announced today he will resign as leader of the world's 1.1 billion Catholics on February 28 because his age prevented him from carrying out his duties – an unprecedented move in the modern history of the Catholic Church. (Photo by Filippo Monteforte/AFP Photo)

People gather in front of Saint Peter's dome at the Vatican on February 11, 2013 after Pope Benedict XVI announced he will resign as leader of the world's 1.1 billion Catholics on February 28 because his age prevented him from carrying out his duties – an unprecedented move in the modern history of the Catholic Church. (Photo by Filippo Monteforte/AFP Photo)

Poper Benedict XVI's appartments are alighted on the evening after it was announced earlier in the day that the pontif will resign on February 11, 2013. Pope Benedict XVI on February 11, 2013 announced he will resign on February 28, a Vatican spokesman told AFP, which will make him the first pope to do so in centuries. (Photo by Andreas Solaro/AFP Photo)

A view of St Peter's Basilica at the Vatican February 11, 2013. Pope Benedict shocked the world on Monday by saying he no longer had the mental and physical strength to cope with his ministry, in an announcement that left his aides “incredulous” and will make him the first pontiff to step down since the Middle Ages. He will step down on February 28 and the Vatican expects a new Pope to be chosen by the end of March. (Photo by Giampiero Sposito/Reuters)

This combo made with twelve file picture on February 11, 2013 shows Cardinals likely to succeed to Pope Benedict XVI who announced today he will step down at the end of this month after an eight-year pontificate. Top row from left : Brazilian Cardinal Claudio Hummes, Honduran Cardinal Oscar Andres Rodrigues Maradiaga, Argentine Archbishop Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Mexican Cardinal Norberto Rivera Carrera, Brazilian Joao Braz de Aviz, and Philippines' Luis Antonio Tagle. Bottom row from left : Austrian Cristoph Schonborn, Hungarian Peter Erdoe, Italian Angelo Scola, Canadian Marc Ouellet, Nigerian Francis Arinze, and Nigerian John Onaiyekan. (Photo Desk/AFP Photo)