The head of the Catholic Church, Pope Benedict XVI will resign on 28 February, an italian news agency has announced.

Pope Benedict XVI to resign, Italian news agency reports

— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) February 11, 2013

As ever, Twitter was at the ready to turn the whole thing into a joke.

Mac Maharaj says rumours of Pope’s resignation are “mischevious”, & an attempt to distract from the President’s Address.

— Gus Silber (@gussilber) February 11, 2013

Ba-dum-tish! RT @adamhillscomedy: The Pope is resigning. He will soon be known as Ex-Benedict.

— Geoff White (@ThatGeoffChap) February 11, 2013

@mandywienerAre popes allowed to resign? Isn’t that tantamount to admitting God made a mistake?

— Elli (@SneakyRusski) February 11, 2013

The Pope is resigning? Isn't that usually done by dying? RT @SkyNewsBreak: Italian news agency reports Pope Benedict XVI is to resign

— Ciro De Siena (@CiroDeSiena) February 11, 2013

What exactly did that butler steal from the pope’s office? (Vatican confirms the pope is resigning)

— Alex Eliseev (@alexeliseev) February 11, 2013

Does God regret not acting sooner while Pep was still available? Could Rafa maybe do a job as interim Pope?

— Jonathan Wilson (@jonawils) February 11, 2013

Dibs on The Pope’s Twitter handle.

— Des Erasmus (@DesErasmus1) February 11, 2013

Dravid ✓ Ponting ✓ The Pope ✓ Sachin ❒

— Alternative Cricket (@AltCricket) February 11, 2013

This is so weird. I’ve only just updated my CV and now the Pope is resigning. Message received, God. Message received.

— Damien Owens (@OwensDamien) February 11, 2013

Twitter is satanism! The Pope joined and look now, he resigns… *claps once*

— Christian Steyl (@TRHumanist) February 11, 2013

@katykatopodisThe Pope is hardly the first person to lose interest in their real job so soon after joining Twitter.

— Elli (@SneakyRusski) February 11, 2013

Dear Pope Benedict: We’ve all had shitty bosses. No need to over-react.

— Sweary the Bear (@sweary_bear) February 11, 2013

Breaking: Pope Benedict is simply resigning his name, and will be reinstated as Pope Strangelove

— Warren Ellis (@warrenellis) February 11, 2013

Carry on.