The archbishop of New York, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, explains the "mixed emotions" he feels about the news that Pope Benedict XVI will resign.
By Erin McClam, Staff Writer, NBC News
Updated at 10:13 a.m. ET: Pope Benedict XVI?s abdication announcement at a small event?at the Vatican on?Monday came as such a surprise that even the cardinals in the room were astonished???a sentiment echoed around the world as church leaders and laity alike grappled with the news.
?All the cardinals remained shocked and were looking at each other,? Monsignor Oscar Sanchez of Mexico, who was in the room at the time of the announcement, said, according to The Associated Press.
The pope said Monday that he no longer had the strength to carry out his ministry and would step aside Feb. 28 as leader of the world?s 1.2 billion Catholics. Speaking in Latin,?the 85-year-old?announced his decision during an address at the "concistory for the canonization of the martyrs of Otranto," a small event held early in the morning.?
?I?m as startled as the rest of you and as anxious to find out exactly what?s going on,? Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the archbishop of New York, said on TODAY. ?Except for prayer, I don?t know what else to do. I?ll await instruction with everyone else.?
Like other prominent figures in the church, Dolan said that it was a somber occasion and that the decision only deepened his respect for the pope.
Dolan, who was appointed to his post in 2009 and elevated to cardinal early last year by Benedict himself, is considered a longshot candidate to succeed the pope. He said that he found himself ?kind of somber? upon hearing of the resignation.
?Boy, I love this pope,? the cardinal said. ?The world looks to him with respect and affection.?
Benedict, 85, becomes the first pope to abdicate since 1294. When he made the announcement several of them did not even understand what was happening, a Vatican spokesman said.
Archbishop Vincent Nichols, leader of the Archdiocese of Westminster, which includes parts of London, said the pope?s announcement ?has shocked and surprised everyone.?
?Yet, on reflection, I am sure that many will recognize it to be a decision of great courage and characteristic clarity of mind and action,? Nichols, who is also president of the Catholic Bishops? Conference of England and Wales, said in a statement.
He said Catholics would remember Benedict?s papacy ?with great affection and the highest esteem for his minister as our Holy Father.?
The spiritual head of the world?s 80 million Anglicans, Justin Welby, the archbishop of Canterbury, said that he learned of the news ?with a heavy heart but complete understanding.?
?We pray that God will bless him profoundly in retirement with health and peace of mind and heart, and we entrust to the Holy Spirit those who have a responsibility to elect his successor,? he said in a statement, according to Reuters.
At St. Patrick?s Cathedral, in Manhattan, Dave Stacker said that he supported the pope?s decision but wondered how it might affect the church. He said that he admired the pope?s embrace of social media ? Benedict late last year posted from a Twitter account, @pontifex.
?It?s gonna be tough,? Stacker told NBCNewYork.com. ?Where do we go from here??
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