Lightning strikes St Peter's Basilica as Pope resigns

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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21421810

12 February 2013 Last updated at 03:37 GMT

Pope Benedict has shocked a billion Roman Catholics around the world, and his closest advisers, by announcing that he will resign at the end of this month.

Within hours of Pope Benedict announcing his resignation, lightning struck St Peter's Basilica.

The Pope, who is 85 years old, has been the head of the Church since 2005.