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Pope Benedict XVI's legacy

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    Father Edward Beck weighs in on change of power in Catholic Church

  • Duration 5:27
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Back to the breaking news and a major announcement out of Rome today Vatican City Pope Benedict the sixteenth.

Says he will resign at the end of February 28 -- this month.

The -- -- blaming us for help for his retirement making him the first Pope to step down since the middle agents.

New York archbishop Timothy cardinal Dolan praised the pontiff's decision a bit earlier today here in.

New York saddest thing is so high that -- all humility he simply said I can't do it anymore.

And it would be best for the church and for me if I would step aside and that's.

That realistic humility.

Only enhances the wonderful virtues.

But I've seen them cardinal Joseph Ratzinger and Pope Benedict the sixteenth.

Father Edward -- -- the host of the Sunday mass and ABC family channel author of sole provider spiritual steps to limit lists.

Love nice to see if other banks -- good morning to you.

I imagine you were surprised I was.

So.

Well first I get awakened by a news media outlets say every -- it happened.

And you feel like wow they know -- for the Prius now but -- I was surprised because you know with John Paul the second we saw a frail man who was sick.

And you would have thought if anyone might resign it would be he.

But he didn't he held on because he thought it was necessary for the stability of the church.

I think Pope Benedict watched that he's very close to John Paul the second even spoke when John Paul the second was -- that it's possible Pope can resign.

If they feel they can no longer do their job adequately.

So this is a man who knew he said that he realizes zone diminishment and -- saying -- -- you know what I have to step up and do what I say it was possible for me because that's right right -- Could not be more of a contrast between these two posts -- I believe it.

I said this last hour I always felt the Pope John Paul the second state in the job to the very yet because he wanted people to see him in his human condition.

-- that earthen vessel to see everybody -- you still have responsibility job to take care of even people like me.

And that's -- the -- That should be -- some Catholics look at and say gee we have a feeble man who is diminishing.

The head of our worldwide church is -- really up to snuff to do it.

And I think there was some concern yeah it was a beautiful image spiritually.

Of somebody in there and kind of declines saying.

But look at me as an example but you want someone to -- -- -- worldwide church.

When I stood in and Pope Benedict I think made that quite clear that -- throughout his -- your papers.

What is his legacy have you have you been able to contemplate that yet well certainly he moved to church more to the right.

And it became more conservative.

In its morality and theology -- -- this was a theologian and he thought that the church had gone too far to the left.

And he wanted to sense of identity and he brought there to that you gonna see for some it was a very positive thing because he gave the church -- identity.

And some would say -- some would say right its whatever but he certainly brought it there so that's part of his legacy.

I think also people don't actually get the man did it mean I -- some people who knew him least where he -- treat.

This this is the gentle -- thing.

Very simple man and everybody it's.

It in his hands on the yeah.

Yeah right -- stand -- -- it's just a real gentle guy in his demeanor was to be a little bit below the radar I think and I think that's how he led.

The church of of the past eight years but now you think about a successor.

Yeah.

-- -- sounds strange to say about the do you have a favorite.

Do you have -- -- do you have someone -- you believe is the right -- at the right time for this job.

Well remember.

John Paul the second and Pope Benedict appointed all of the cardinals who will vote and that's the majority -- Europeans.

Many have felt after -- polish Pope and a German Pope they want an Italian Pope.

They want to bring him back to Italy a quarter of those Europeans who will vote are Italians.

So I would put my money on an Italian and quite possibly from.

Archbishop of Milan the Milan that us.

I want I remember hearing this same argument eight years ago yes exam while in Vatican City innocents that everyone speculate about who will be the next -- model onto them right.

Take us inside the Sistine Chapel this will be the heart of this discussion a couple weeks now are almost see that the college of cardinals as this.

A larger than life fraternity now where at least socially there are jockeying for position they're allowing other men to know that they potentially.

Could hold this position and lead the church.

And perhaps they politics get a at a lower level.

So -- -- but it's it's my belief that it does happen.

And and there are those who -- trying to suggest that I could be the best choice to lead this -- There is no secret that there's politics in the Roman Catholic church and politics -- cardinals certainly they do their own talking however we do believe ideologically and spiritually.

That the holy spirit moves in that conclave.

And -- the man -- gets chosen is ultimately it's the will of god now you can be a cynic and say you know like c'mon it's all about politics.

But I think to give some room for the holy spirit this conservative group of cardinals may elect a very progressive Pope and you'd have to say -- that's the case the holy spirit but in there somewhere.

Then Angelo Scola is the cardinal from a line yes.

Thank you father and -- colony again okay thanks Edward back with us here in New York thank you.

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