Bishop Conlon Surprised by Pope Benedict's Resignation

The last pope to step down was Gregory XII in 1415, who did so to end a civil war within the church.

By Shannon Antinori Some Catholics reacted with shock Monday as Pope Benedict XVI announced his plans to resign on Feb. 28, 2013. The decision came during Lent, a time of penance and the liturgical season leading up to Christianity’s most important holiday, Easter. With his announcement, Benedict becomes the first pope to resign in nearly 600 years. On Monday, Diocese of Joliet Bishop Daniel Conlon expressed surprise at the pope’s decision. “Pope Benedict XVI’s decision to resign comes as a surprise to all of us. Yet, it is consistent with the humble disposition that I have come to recognize in him, both in my brief personal encounters with him and in his deportment generally as earthly shepherd of the Church,” Conlon said in a statement …

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