For example, early in his pontificate, Benedict himself predicted that he would have a short papacy. Just after his election in 2005, when explaining his choice of name to his brother cardinals, Cardinal Francis George of Chicago said he told them "I too hope in this short reign to be a man of peace."
More recently, on the occasion of his 85th birthday, he gave a homily that some saw as an acknowledgement that his days were numbered:
"I am in the final stage of my life journey and I do not know what awaits me," he said. "However, I do know that the light of God exists, that He rose again, that His light is stronger than all darkness, that the goodness of God is stronger than all the evil in this world. This helps me to continue with confidence. This helps us to continue, and I would like to thank everyone who, through their faith, continually makes me aware of God's 'yes'."
Unlike his predecessor, Pope Benedict was seen to be remarkably healthy until the past year. In 2011, he was diagnosed with a degenerative disease known as arthrosis which is caused by an erosion of cartilage in joints over time. The disease typically affects the legs, shoulders and back and can make movement quite painful.
As a result, he began using a mobile platform in liturgical processions. A few months later, he was seen sporting a cane and was no longer walking all the way around the altar when using incense at the beginning of Mass. He has also seemed tired of late, appearing in public with large, dark circles under his eyes.
In hindsight, the signs were definitely apparent that his age was beginning to slow him down and while no one expected a resignation, Benedict certainly never shied away from discussing the possibility that this could happen.
In a 2010 interview with German author and journalist Peter Seewald, he was asked if he would consider resigning.
"If a pope clearly realizes that he is no longer physically, psychologically and spiritually capable of handling the duties of his office, then he has a right and, under some circumstances, also an obligation to resign," the pope told Seewald, who published the comments in his book, Light of the World: The Pope, the Church and the Signs of the Times.
This was similar to a statement he made to reporters before the death of Pope John Paul II in which he said resignation was possible.
"If he were to see that he absolutely could not (continue), then he certainly would resign," he said at the time.
Thomas Peters of the popular CatholicVote.org blog, thinks the Pope's openness about the precedent of a pope stepping down due to age or health may have been his way of preparing the flock for just such an eventuality.
"Even though we have the modern memory of Bl. John Paul II serving heroically until his last breath does not mean every modern pope will do so," Peters said.
"That said, this has not happened in 600 years. Nevertheless, be not afraid! The Holy Spirit is ultimately in charge of guiding, protecting and providing for the Church of Christ. Let nothing you dismay. We must all be praying to the Holy Spirit today and throughout Lent for the future of the Church and for the next pope."
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