Pope Benedict XV1 resigns and Cardinal Arinze may take over

Cardinal Francis Arinze of Nigeria is tipped to become the next Pope

Pope Benedict XV1

VATICAN - Pope Benedict announced this morning that he is to resign on February 28 this year.
The pope read out his resignation in Latin to the congregation in Rome this morning saying he is too old to continue at the age of 85. The Pope will leave will leave the post at the end of the month. The Vatican later released a statement in which the the pontiff said: "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." 

This is the first resignation in 600 years and would leave the position vacant until a suitable successor is found. At 78, the former Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was one of the oldest new popes in history when elected. It was anticipated that he would modernize the catholic so far however, what he has done is write three influential books on Christianity.
Catholics all over the world are surprised and shocked that the leadership of the Pope is no longer there. Cardinal Arinze of Nigeria has been tipped as the favourite to stand as next Pope with huge support from the African continent and the global south.

If Cardinal Francis Arinze should succeed Pope John Paul II, he would be the fourth African pope  in 1,500 years to sit on the throne of St Peter. Three Africans have already occupied the office, according to the Catholic Encyclopedia: Victor (around AD 183-203), Mechiades or Militiades (possibly AD 311-314), and Gelasius (AD 492-496).

Questions
The pope has left with a lot of questions in the Catholic church such as:

• Should priests be allowed to marry like in the Anglican church;
• The issue of abortion, Gay marriages, child abuse in the church, whether priests can resign and whether they would be enough priests in the church as more men want to marry.
• What title would Pope Benedict be given?

Controversies

• He is said to be a member of Nazi
• He had a cousin that was murdered by the Nazi.
• When victims of child abuse wanted more publicity - he replied that, the church is like a fisherman's net which catches both good and bad fish.
• He did nothing about the debate that abuse may be aggravated by abstinence.
• He didn't respond quickly to issues such the abuse of children.
• He does not support the use of condoms to prevent HIV in Africa.

* As much as it is a shocking announcement, I really admire the Pope and it was lovely meeting him in 2010 when he came to London so I wish him good health, more strength and peace as he retires.