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KIRKSVILLE, MO -- Winds of change are coming to Catholic Church with Pope Benedict XVI now resigning.

The 85-year-old Pope said Monday he lacks the strength to fulfill his duties making him become the first pontiff in 600 years to resign.

Father Chris Cordes of Mary Immaculate Catholic Church in Kirksville got the news yesterday morning from other priests, and like everyone else is surprised with the news and believes it has been his health and stress that lead to his decision.

"Any Pope can have a lot of stress just with the duties, demands, and expectations of being a Pope. But also the things that have happened during his leadership with the different things happened in the church would have added to that stress and his health overall," Father Cordes said.

Pope Benedict XVI's last day will be on February 28.

The announcement of his resignation sets the stage now for a conclave in March to elect a new leader for world's 1 billion Catholics.