There may have been strong reasons for his resignation and Mr Blair's swift acceptance of it.

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Some princes of the church believed Cardinal Bergoglio, at 76, was probably too old to become pope, especially after Benedict XVI had specifically cited his age and frailty as reasons for his resignation.

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Many cardinals initially believed Cardinal Bergoglio, 76, was probably too old to become pope, especially coming in the wake of Benedict XVI, who cited his age and frailty as reasons for his resignation.

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Mr Sheridan's resignation for "personal reasons" will allow him to spend more time with wife Gail, who is expecting the couple's first child.

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Last week, Archbishop Philip Tartaglia - who replaced the cardinal in the Archdiocese of Edinburgh and St Andrews after his resignation - said the Church had been accused of hypocrisy "for obvious reasons".

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