Mr ABBOTT (Warringah—Leader of the Opposition) (14:02): I rise to join the Prime Minister in acknowledging the Pope's announcement of his retirement. The spiritual leader and administrative head of one billion Catholics around the world obviously has an extraordinarily onerous job. By any standards it would have to be one of the most difficult jobs in the world. It is hardly surprising that at the age of 85, after much soul searching, Pope Benedict should have decided to retire. He would have pondered this decision long and hard and he would have made it in the best interests of the church which he has served all his adult life. All Australians of goodwill would wish Pope Benedict well in his retirement and hope that this might be a time of reinvigoration for the church and for all the good works it sponsors.