JACKSONVILLE, Fla.-- The news of Pope Benedict XVI's resignation has sent shockwaves through the Catholic community.
We sat down with Felipe Estevez, bishop of the Catholic Diocese of St. Augustine, to get his take on it.
"This news has surprised everybody. I was having breakfast this morning at 5:30 this morning. Having breakfast like every other day. At 6:15, my day was completely changed with the news," he said.
Estevez says Benedict cited his "advancing age" as a reason for stepping down. In addition to being 85, Benedict served as spiritual leader to 1.2 billion Catholics worldwide. Estevez encourages those very people to step up during this difficult time at the Vatican.
"Pray for his sucessor and pray for the electors, so they choose the best individual to occupy the chair of Peter, to think about world peace," he said.
The College of Cardinals will have a conclave in March to decide on a new Pope. Estevez guesses it will only take them three or four days to come up with recommendations.
