Turkish man who shot previous pope calls on Benedict to resign over clerical sex abuse cases

In Turkey, Pope gunman says Benedict should resign

ANKARA, Turkey — The Turkish man who shot Pope John Paul II says Pope Benedict XVI should resign over the Catholic Church’s handling of clerical sex abuse cases.

Mehmet Ali Agca, who emerged from prison in January nearly 29 years after wounding Pope John Paul II in Rome, has declared himself a messenger from God.

Agca told journalists in Istanbul on Monday that “I want the pope to resign not arrested,” as he waved a Turkish newspaper reporting calls for the arrest of the pope. The press conference marked his first public comments since his release.

There are questions about Agca’s mental health. Motives for the shooting of Pope John Paul remain a mystery.