BURLINGTON, Vt. -
Pope Benedict XVI shocked the Catholic Church today, by announcing his resignation.
A pope hasn't resigned in almost 600 years.
I spoke with the Bishop of Burlington who personally met the pope on more than one occasion. The Bishop says the decision is incredibly selfless because Pope Benedict XVI says he no longer has the strength to lead the Catholic Church. He is 85 years old.
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Catholics across the globe awoke to some once in a lifetime news. Pope Benedict XVI is resigning.
"Quite surprising," Bishop Salvatore Matano said.
Surprising only because it hasn't been done in six centuries. But the Pope has hinted at the idea, and said if it became clear to him that his age and health were no longer able to sustain him and the duties of his office, he would place the good of the church before all, and would resign.
"Our Holy Father's resignation demonstrates once again his extraordinary love for the church," Bishop Matano said.
There's no denying the sex abuse allegations that came to light may have taken their toll.
"I think that crisis, together with all of the different issues that are confronting modern society certainly have weighed heavily on the Holy Father," Bishop Matano said.
The Bishop of Burlington, Salvatore Matano, says he's been blessed to meet the Pope, and feels a special connection to him because he was ordained one hour after Benedict was named Pope.
"He has carved out a place in our hearts and it shall never be erased," Bishop Matano said.
I caught up with Greg Clairmont after mass Monday. He also met Pope Benedict while on a trip to Rome.
"Three times in his presence was really totally remarkable," Clairmont said.
Vermont is known as one of the least religious states in the country. When I asked the Bishop if this would make even more people question their faith, he says he's hopeful that this will unite the church and give people even more faith.
"It's a time of prayer and fasting and intensifying our relationship with the lord," Bishop Matano said.
Pope Benedict's last day is February 28th. The plan is to have a new pope by Easter, which is March 31st this year.
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Again, the last time a Pope quit was almost 600 years ago, in 1415. Now, for the second time in eight years, the College of Cardinals will choose a new leader for the Catholic Church.
Here's how it'll go:
- Only cardinals under 80 years old are eligible to become Pope. Right now there are 118 of them.
- In order to be elected there must be a 2-thirds-plus-one vote.
- The votes are burned and smoke is released from the Vatican chimney, black means no pope, white means a decision.
The pope will not vote for his successor.
But, as for if he'll play any role, that's hard to say, since the conclave usually only meets after a Pope dies.
