[h=3]Associated Press[/h]NEW YORK — The pope's resignation was a big surprise even for the most prominent Roman Catholic in the United States — the cardinal who leads the nation's bishops.
New York's Cardinal Timothy Dolan was praying Monday at dawn when his spokesman called with the news from Rome.
The cardinal says he was "shocked."
Just as surprised were worshippers at St. Patrick's Cathedral, the Fifth Avenue seat of the New York archdiocese.
Their feelings about the departing pope ranged from admiration to near-indifference.
Juan Carlos Lombera, a Mexican-born businessman in Manhattan, sees him only as the pontiff "who came after Pope John Paul II."
By contrast, New Yorker Marie Oates considers Benedict "a wonderful pope" — humble enough to recognize he was no longer physically "up to the task."
—Copyright 2013 Associated Press
• Invalid email address.
• You can't enter more than 20 emails.
• Seperate multiple addresses with Commas.
• Must enter an email address.
• You must enter the verification code below to send.
• Invalid entry: Please type the verification code again.
New York's Cardinal Timothy Dolan was praying Monday at dawn when his spokesman called with the news from Rome.
The cardinal says he was "shocked."
Just as surprised were worshippers at St. Patrick's Cathedral, the Fifth Avenue seat of the New York archdiocese.
Their feelings about the departing pope ranged from admiration to near-indifference.
Juan Carlos Lombera, a Mexican-born businessman in Manhattan, sees him only as the pontiff "who came after Pope John Paul II."
By contrast, New Yorker Marie Oates considers Benedict "a wonderful pope" — humble enough to recognize he was no longer physically "up to the task."
—Copyright 2013 Associated Press
• Invalid email address.
• You can't enter more than 20 emails.
• Seperate multiple addresses with Commas.
• Must enter an email address.
• You must enter the verification code below to send.
• Invalid entry: Please type the verification code again.