VATICAN CITY
9 News (Australia)
Catholic faithful in St Peter’s Square have reacted with amazement and emotion at Pope Benedict XVI’s announcement that he will resign later this month, though some say they hope his successor will be more progressive.
Hundreds of believers converged on the heart of the Catholic church after hearing the historic news, swelling the usual small huddles of tourists on an overcast and chilly winter day in Rome.
“I love Benedict. We’re really shocked he’s resigning because he wasn’t pope for long enough,” said Sebastian Mazur, a seminarian from Poland.
“He hasn’t finished his plan,” the 21-year-old said.
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