Pope Benedict understands that he is not the Church, and that stepping aside to allow the Holy Spirit to bring forth another to take his place would be the best thing for the Church. Staying in office beyond the time his body and mind could be strong enough to withstand the attacks would not be the best for Jesus's Church, and Benedict knows that JESUS is the priority, not himself, as the person sitting in the Seat of Peter.
It was a selfLESS decision, not a selfish one.
Well said.
I totally agree, SuziQ...