Pope Benedict XVI, a man of the cloth who will be best remembered for his homophobic decrees and an anti-Islamic snafu, is the first pope to resign in over 600 years. Peace out. Although his tenure and terror will soon come to an end, his majesty's likeness can still be found at the San Francisco Wax Museum at Fisherman's Wharf.
"We thought His Holiness might be getting some requests for TV coverage today," said Rodney Fong, owner / president of the Wax Museum at Fisherman’s Wharf, via press release, "So we've made it easy for everyone to come down for a Papal audience: no ticket to Rome required."
Pope Benedict XVI (Joseph Ratzinger) announced that he would leave office on February 28th. In a statement, he cited "both strength of mind and body are necessary [to lead], strength which in the last few months, has deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognize my incapacity to adequately fulfill the ministry entrusted to me. For this reason, and well aware of the seriousness of this act, with full freedom I declare that I renounce the ministry of Bishop of Rome, Successor of Saint Peter, entrusted to me by the Cardinals on 19 April 2005, in such a way, that as from 28 February 2013, at 20:00 hours, the See of Rome, the See of Saint Peter, will be vacant and a Conclave to elect the new Supreme Pontiff will have to be convoked by those whose competence it is."
His departure will, hopefully, make room for more moderate voices within the church. (No, not you, Tipsy.)
The the wax figure of Pope XVI can be found in the window outside thew S.F. Wax Museum at 145 Jefferson. Check it out if the mood should strike. (Nixon will be there too!)