Pope Benedict XVI has announced he will be stepping down February 28th, the first Pope to resign since the Middle Ages. With the church at such crosswords in it’s history this Lent presents a unique opportunity to join our prayer and sacrifice with the Papal Enclave as they select a new Pope to guide the church forward in the age of the new evangelization.

For more information on Pope Benedicts announcement see the following:

• Pope Benedict XVI announces his resignation at end of month
• Papacy of Pope Benedict XVI Highlighted his Pastoral, Scholarly, Holy Life, Says Cardinal Dolan
• Franciscan University of Steubenville Reacts to News of Pope Benedict XVI’s Resignation Announcement
• Pope Benedict XVI:a papal timeline
• The Pontificate of Benedict  XVI: portrait of a papacy
• Benedict XVI resignation: details of press briefing
• Benedict XVI’s resignation: Coherence and comprehension
• Virtually unprecedented: papal resignation throughout history
• POPE BENEDICT XVI’S RESIGNATION
• MORE ON POPE BENEDICT XVI
• News: Pope Benedict XVI
• Why Do We Have a Pope? Is it Biblical?

Also, in keeping with the beginning of Lent let us not lose site of the call to conversion and new life in Christ at this time of new beginnings. See Catholic Coffee Talk – Lent for ideas around how to approach Lent as you seek to join your Lenten prayers and sacrifices with the Papal Enclave.