The pope resigns, Twitter reacts

Shock, speculation and, of course, jokes

Published February 11, 2013 1:56PM (EST)

News of Pope Benedict XVI's resignation rocked the Twitterverse this morning. Saying, "I have come to the certainty that my strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise," Pope Benedict will be the first pontiff to resign in six centuries.

Here's a round up of the shock, the speculation and the obligatory jokes.

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Then came the reactions that Jamil Smith summed up nicely:

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Observe:

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By Katie McDonough

Katie McDonough is Salon's politics writer, focusing on gender, sexuality and reproductive justice. Follow her on Twitter @kmcdonovgh or email her at kmcdonough@salon.com.

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Pope Benedict Xvi Roman Catholic Church Twitter Twitter Reactions