News rocked the religious world on Monday that Pope Benedict XVI will be resigning from his post at the end of the month.

The Pope cited the reasoning for his sudden decision is due to old age and the grueling physical demands the job requires. Pope Benedict XVI is 85 years old and he will be the first Pope to step down since Pope Gregory XII in 1415.

He announced the news at the Vatican in Latin during a meeting of the cardinals.

“After having repeatedly examined my conscience before God, I have come to the certainty that my strengths due to an advanced age are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry,” he said. “I am well aware that this ministry, due to its essential spiritual nature, must be carried out not only by words and deeds but no less with prayer and suffering.”

New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan appeared on Today shortly after the announcement in a somber mood brought on by the Pope’s decision.

“I love this pope. I mean every Catholic feels the pope is his father, we call him our holy father, the world looks to him with respect and affection," Dolan said. "I sense a special bond with him. I’m wearing the ring he gave me, the cross he gave me. So I feel a particular bond with him.”

The Pope’s resignation will be effective starting Feb. 28, 2013, at 8 p.m.

Pope Benedict’s legacy comes with many firsts. He was the oldest elected pope, being selected for the position at age 78. Pope Benedict was also the first German pope since the 11th century. His reign will be one of the shortest of all the popes, having only been in position for seven years and 10 months.

The Pope suffers from arthritis and he also had a hemorrhagic stroke, which affected his vision in the early 1990’s. With such short notice given, there is speculation that there could difficulty in finding a replacement to carry on as the new pope.