A Feb. 11, 2013, CNN blog post explores the possibility of the next pope being from Africa or Latin America.

The Washington Post says Benedict made his decision months ago and told his brother, who is also a priest.

Rabbi Cindy Enger is the rabbi at Congregation Or Chadash, an LGBT-specific synagogue in Chicago.

President Barack Obama, whose relationship with U.S. Catholic leaders has been strained, told USA Today that he warmly remembers meeting the pope in 2009 and extends his best wishes to Benedict and those who will choose his successor. Read the article about Obama’s comments.

Café Pride is a social coffeehouse for LGBT youth sponsored by a group of area churches in suburban Chicago. Contact Alex Wirth, a pastoral resident for Lake View Presbyterian Church, one of the sponsor churches.

Read a Feb. 11, 2013, Washington Post story about past papal resignations.

Read a Feb. 12, 2013, article from USA Today about possible contenders to replace Pope Benedict XVI.

Read a Feb. 11, 2013, article from USA Today about other popes who have resigned.

Mary Lou Wallner is the co-founder, with her husband, Bob, of Teach Ministries, an organization that works to educate Christian congregations about the dangers of homophobia. The Wallners founded the organization after the suicide of their daughter, a lesbian. They live in North Little Rock, Ark.