In a surprise announcement the present Pope has declared his intention to stand down by the end of this month. For the first time in centuries it is now possible to openly discuss who the next Pope should be. Pope Benedict’s decision might have huge ramifications for the church with speculation now that a non-European could be elected by the Cardinals to take his place. The World Service's Dan Damon will be joined by Vatican experts from the BBC and by religious leaders and religious commentators from around the world to take stock of this week’s unprecedented events at the Vatican.

Dan Damon asks: where has the eight-year reign of Pope Benedict left the Church? And who does it look to now as a spiritual leader - a conservative or a reformer?