The Vatican has announced Pope Benedict XVI will step down as head of the Catholic Church later this month. The surprise move makes Benedict the first pontiff to resign in nearly six centuries. Benedict’s papacy has been marked by a rightward bent on a range of issues and a number of child molestation scandals in the Catholic Church, including allegations he ignored at least one case of abuse while serving as a cardinal. In a statement, Benedict, who is 85, cited ill health as the reason for his departure. A conclave to elect a new pope will be held by the end of March.