Pope’s resignation surprises Hubbard

NEW YORK
Albany Times Union

By Bryan Fitzgerald

Updated 9:54 am, Monday, February 11, 2013

ALBANY — Bishop Howard Hubbard said Pope Benedict XVI’s decision to resign because of failing health, was done out of “dedication to the Gospel.”

In a statement, Hubbard, leader of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany, said:

“The announcement came as a surprise to me. But as I thought more about it, I remembered that Pope Benedict had said before that if, in conscience, he ever reached the point where his health would compromise his responsibilities, he would step down.”

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