Pope Benedict

All those robes seem mighty grand, until a gentle breeze starts a-blowin'. We wouldn't be surprised if it was the wind that led to Pope Benedict XVI's abdication. Robes flying everywhere. Hats soaring off. It's not easy being pope.

The news of Pope Benedict's resignation has got us feeling like it's 1415 all over again. HEY-O! Seriously, this is the first time a Pope has stepped down it nearly 600 years, so it's pretty big news. We all know what that means -- time for jokesters to trot out their bits on Twitter...

In stunning news, Pope Benedict XVI announced Monday morning from the Vatican that he will resign his position as head of the Catholic Church, effective on February 28. This has already set off a flurry of speculation, largely because no pope has voluntarily done so since the year 1415. The news is still coming in, but here's what we know so far:

For the first time in nearly 600 years, the head of the Catholic Church is resigning. Pope Benedict XVI announced the decision in Latin in Rome early Monday morning.