St. Damian Pastor 'Intrigued' by Pope's Resignation

For the first time in 600 years, a pope will relinquish his role. 

Pope Benedict XVI announced Monday morning that he will resign, effective Feb. 28. 

CNN reported that a spokesman for the pope did not give a reason for the decision, announced during a meeting of Vatican cardinals, but according to the AP, the 85-year-old pontiff cited his "advanced age and diminishing strength."

St. Damian Pastor Fr. Joe Noonan was "not surprised at all" by the announcement, adding, "I don't think a lot of people in the Church are. He has served well."

Pope Benedict has exceeded the anticipated age of retirement, Noonan added.

"The church has a fairly set understanding that 75 would be the retirement age," he said. "That's kind of the norm."

Cardinal Francis George reflected on the announcement, according to the Chicago Tribune. 

He has taught with clarity and charity what God has revealed to the world in Christ; he has handed on the apostolic faith; he has loved all of God’s people with all his heart.  He has now shown great courage in deciding, after prayer and soul-searching, to resign his office at the end of this month.

With the gratitude of sons and daughters in our hearts, we ask the Lord to bless him and give him strength, as we begin to pray now for the one who will succeed him as Bishop of Rome, Successor of Peter and Vicar of Christ. —Francis Cardinal George

Born Joseph Ratzinger, Pope Benedict XVI was chosen in 2005 to succeed the late Pope John Paul II.

The Vatican could hold a conclave to elect a new pope by mid-March, according to the AP.

Noonan said he eagerly awaits the news of Benedict's successor. 

"It's up to the Spirit, we believe the Spirit is guiding the Church, but somehow if the Spirit found someone from a different country, whether that be South America, Central America, Africa, one of the Pacific Rim countries, that'd be interesting," he said.

"It's going to be interesting to see who the next Pope is. ... I think the Church is ready for a Pope from another area of the world, from a non-European country.

"I think the world is intrigued. ... I'm intrigued, to see when the smoke color changes."
 

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