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LIGHTNING struck the roof of St. Peter's Basilica just hours after the Pope announced his resignation yesterday, viewed by those of a superstitious nature as an ominous sign from above.
The lightning strike, which was caught on camera, happened just several hours after Pope Benedict became the first Pontiff in nearly 600 years to resign.
The bolt hit the dome of St Peter's Basilica, regarded as one of the most important churches in the world in the Catholic faith.
Aides to the ailing Pontiff have claimed that no medical ailment has prompted the move, with the Pope saying on previous occasions he would step down if he became too frail to perform his duties.
It is believed only a handful of his closest aides had been given any warning of the resignation, in order to prevent the news leaking to the media ahead of the official announcement.
