Ranil wants Parliament to acknowledge Pope Benedict’s contribution

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe has requested a two hour discussion in Parliament to discuss the yeoman service rendered by Pope Benedict XVI who announced he would be stepping down from his position as the Head of the Catholic Church on Monday (11).

In a letter to the Speaker of Parliament Chamal Rajapaksa, Wickremesinghe has requested that the House allocate two hours to acknowledge and appreciate the Pontiff’s contribution on 19 February.

Wickremesinghe met with Pope Benedict at the Vatican in early January.

Pope Benedict announced his resignation on Monday citing his ill health. It is the first time a Pope has resigned in 558 years.

 The Conclave of Cardinals is expected to elect his successor by Easter on 31 March.