When I heard the news that Pope Benedict XVI, the Bishop of Rome, was resigning, I was shocked by the sudden nature of it and saddened that he is unable to continue his work.
This Bishop of Rome hails from Germany, giving him an understanding of Luther which few, if any, popes have had before. He has opened up to inviting Anglicans back into the Catholic Church, and has begun the setup for Lutherans for that same goal. Christian unity is my goal as well, and I cannot give enough praise and thanks to him for his work in this area.
He has stood his ground theologically, while also acknowledging the failures of the Church, such as the sexual abuse scandals. He has fought for peace among the nations. He even began the practice of adding an Arabic translation of his texts to the usual list of European languages, thus opening up the Middle East to the Church again.
He has had the ability to realize his strength was failing, and his ability to carry out the ministry of St. Peter in Rome was declining. He has the humility to realize his weakness and step aside for a new, healthier, more able man from the College of Cardinals to take his place and carry out the ministry to its fullest extent.
He had earned much of my respect as a man intent on seeking the unity the Church. He has the greatest humility to renounce the position in his frailty. For that humility and his desire to reconcile Protestants, I wish him well, I thank him, and I pray the Catholic Church will be led in that same way by his successor.
