Papal resignation: surprise and gratitude for service

(Vatican Radio) Following Pope Benedict XVI announcement of his resignation from the See of Rome, effective February 28th, 2013 at 8 PM Rome Time, Church leaders from all around the world have been sending expressions of surprise and gratitude for the Holy Father's service, along with prayerful best wishes for his retirement. The Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, His Holiness, Bartholomew I has issued a statement in which he says, “Pope Benedict leaves an indelible mark on the life and history of the Roman Catholic Church,” and promises prayers, “that the Lord will manifest his worthy successor as the head of the sister Church of Rome, and that we may also continue with this successor on our common journey toward the unity of all unto the glory of God.” The archbishop of New York, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, told reporters the announcement took him by surprise, and has only caused an increase in his esteem for the man who has led the Church since 2005. “I was very startled,” he said, adding, “my affection for, and my admiration [of] Pope Benedict XVI has skyrocketed – it was already high.” Cardinal Dolan went on to say, “I just always admired him as a scholar, as a priest, as a holy man, and now my admiration is even higher, because of his humility.” US President Barack Obama extended his appreciation and prayers to Pope Benedict, one of many world leaders to respond to the news, including British Prime Minister David Cameron, who said, “[The Pope] will be missed as a spiritual leader, and offered, “best wishes,” adding an acknowledgment of the Holy Father’s great efforts at building and strengthening relations between the Vatican and Britain. “[Benedict] has worked tirelessly to strengthen Britain's relations with the Holy See,” he said. Listen: