Local Bishop Releases Statement on Pope's Resignation 2/11/13
CBS 7 News
Matt Rist
mrist@cbs7.com
February 10, 2013
ODESSA-San Angelo Bishop Michael D. Pfeifer weighs in on today's announcement by Pope Benedict XVI.
"Like the whole world, especially the leaders of our Roman Catholic Church, I was surprised, but not totally, by the sudden decision of Pope Benedict XVI to offer his resignation as Supreme Pontif of the Roman Catholic Church," Pfeifer said in a statement.
Pfeifer said he saw first-hand that the Pope's health was on the decline.
"I was with Pope Benedict XVI twice in the past year and a half, and I could see how difficult it was for him to carry out his universal ministry for the worldwide Church," Pfeifer said.