Pope Benedict To Resign At The End Of The Month - Spokane, North Idaho News & Weather KHQ.com

Pope Benedict To Resign At The End Of The Month

SPOKANE, Wash. – Early Monday, Pope Benedict XVI announced his decision to resign during a small meeting of Vatican Cardinals.

Benedict is the first pope in modern history to step down. In fact, this is the first time a Pope has resigned in 600 years. The news was unexpected for many Catholics around the world, as well as, for churches here in Spokane.

"Pope Benedict indicated that he has grown weak under the burden of years and has determined that before God it would be better for the church if he would step down," said Father Darrin Connall at Cathedral Of Our Lady Of Lourdes Monday during mass.

Benedict is a leader to more than one billion Catholics worldwide and it is clear he will be missed.

"My initial reaction was of great sadness because he is a great Pope and he has been internationally recognized as the greatest mind of the century," said Mass attendee Terry Lundrigan.

Lundrigan was not the only one in attendance who felt sad when hearing the news.

"Yeah sad, because he is such a great leader, but I'm also hopeful that the next one coming up will have more energy if that was hard for him," Lisa Shortell said.

Cathedral Of Our Lady Of Lourdes in downtown Spokane, displayed Pope Benedict's picture during Mass and took a moment to pray for his health.

Father Connall said the Pope's decision to resign is already impacting services.

"I noticed that mass attendance at the noon service was a little more than usual," Father Connall said. "I think it is on people's minds and hearts."

He also says it is somewhat telling that the Pope would choose today for his announcement. February 11th is world day of prayer for the sick. It is a day when Catholics take time to pray and care for those who are sick in a special way.

"It is very interesting that the holy father chose this day to tell us that he is sick," Father Connall said. "He has grown weak under the burden of years and needs to set down the office of St. Peter."

The Cardinals will meet to choose a new Pope some time after Benedict resigns on February 28th. Benedict will not be involved in the decision.

  • Most Popular StoriesMost Popular StoriesMore>>

  • WATCH: Car kick sparks chain-reaction crash on California highway

    WATCH: Car kick sparks chain-reaction crash on California highway

    Saturday, June 24 2017 4:40 PM EDT2017-06-24 20:40:35 GMT

    SANTA CLARITA, Calif. - A case of road rage caused a chain-reaction crash on a California freeway on Wednesday and a driver caught the whole thing on video. It happened around 6 a.m. on the southbound 14 Freeway near Newhall in Santa Clarita. Witness Chris Traber started recording when he saw a gray sedan cut off the motorcyclist.

    >>

    SANTA CLARITA, Calif. - A case of road rage caused a chain-reaction crash on a California freeway on Wednesday and a driver caught the whole thing on video. It happened around 6 a.m. on the southbound 14 Freeway near Newhall in Santa Clarita. Witness Chris Traber started recording when he saw a gray sedan cut off the motorcyclist.

    >>

  • Seattle police: No choice but lethal force in fatal shooting

    Seattle police: No choice but lethal force in fatal shooting

    Saturday, June 24 2017 5:21 PM EDT2017-06-24 21:21:01 GMT

    SEATTLE (AP) - Two Seattle police officers who shot and killed a 30-year-old pregnant woman each say they fired their weapons after the woman suddenly pulled a knife and came after them.  The Seattle Times reports that the Seattle Police Department late Friday released transcripts of interviews with the officers involved the June 18 fatal shooting of Charleena Lyles.

    >>

    SEATTLE (AP) - Two Seattle police officers who shot and killed a 30-year-old pregnant woman each say they fired their weapons after the woman suddenly pulled a knife and came after them.  The Seattle Times reports that the Seattle Police Department late Friday released transcripts of interviews with the officers involved the June 18 fatal shooting of Charleena Lyles.

    >>

  • Professor to student mom: Just bring your baby to class

    Professor to student mom: Just bring your baby to class

    Saturday, June 24 2017 7:02 PM EDT2017-06-24 23:02:18 GMT

    A professor in Tennessee has a solution for a student who missed class after she couldn't find someone to babysit her 3-year-old girl: Just bring the child to class.      The Knoxville News Sentinel reports Professor Sally Hunter at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville emailed Morgan King that she would be "absolutely delighted" to hold King's daughter, Korbin, while teaching class.

    >>

    A professor in Tennessee has a solution for a student who missed class after she couldn't find someone to babysit her 3-month-old girl: Just bring the child to class.      The Knoxville News Sentinel reports Professor Sally Hunter at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville emailed Morgan King that she would be "absolutely delighted" to hold King's daughter, Korbin, while teaching class.

    >>
    •   
HD DOPPLER 6i
/
7-Day ForecastWeather PixSchool ClosuresBargain BlitzGarden Report

  • National NewsMore>>

  • Mad Minute stories from Friday, June 23rd

    Mad Minute stories from Friday, June 23rd

    Friday, June 23 2017 6:44 PM EDT2017-06-23 22:44:32 GMT

    Here are the extended versions of the KHQ Local News 11 at 11 Mad Minute stories from Friday, June 23rd.

    >>

    Here are the extended versions of the KHQ Local News 11 at 11 Mad Minute stories from Friday, June 23rd.

    >>

  • Lobbyist wounded in GOP baseball shooting leaves hospital

    Lobbyist wounded in GOP baseball shooting leaves hospital

    Friday, June 23 2017 8:54 PM EDT2017-06-24 00:54:41 GMT
    @gwuhospital Facebook page@gwuhospital Facebook page

    WASHINGTON, D.C. (AP) - Another victim of the mass shooting that critically injured a congressman is out of the hospital. The family of Tyson Foods lobbyist Matt Mika says he was released Friday from George Washington University Hospital. Mika was among five people hit by gunfire multiple times in his chest and arm in the attack on a Republican baseball practice in Alexandria, Virginia, on June 14. The others were U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise, two U.S. Capitol Police...

    >>

    WASHINGTON, D.C. (AP) - Another victim of the mass shooting that critically injured a congressman is out of the hospital. The family of Tyson Foods lobbyist Matt Mika says he was released Friday from George Washington University Hospital. Mika was among five people hit by gunfire multiple times in his chest and arm in the attack on a Republican baseball practice in Alexandria, Virginia, on June 14. The others were U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise, two U.S. Capitol Police...

    >>

  • HGTV's Gaines: Waco restaurant to be called Magnolia Table

    HGTV's Gaines: Waco restaurant to be called Magnolia Table

    Friday, June 23 2017 8:17 PM EDT2017-06-24 00:17:31 GMT

    WACO, Texas (AP) - HGTV stars Joanna and Chip Gaines say the historic Waco, Texas, cafe they bought last year will be called Magnolia Table and serve breakfast, lunch and brunch. The stars of the TV show "Fixer Upper" say they hope to reopen what had been the Elite Cafe by the end of 2017. Joanna Gaines wrote in a recent blog that she has many great memories from family Sunday brunches at the Elite Cafe. After operating for nearly 100 years, Elite...

    >>

    WACO, Texas (AP) - HGTV stars Joanna and Chip Gaines say the historic Waco, Texas, cafe they bought last year will be called Magnolia Table and serve breakfast, lunch and brunch. The stars of the TV show "Fixer Upper" say they hope to reopen what had been the Elite Cafe by the end of 2017. Joanna Gaines wrote in a recent blog that she has many great memories from family Sunday brunches at the Elite Cafe. After operating for nearly 100 years, Elite...

    >>
    •   

  • Top Stories from KHQHomeMore>>

  • Auctioned lots on northern Idaho lake sell for $7.8M

    Auctioned lots on northern Idaho lake sell for $7.8M

    Sunday, June 25 2017 2:49 PM EDT2017-06-25 18:49:03 GMT

    BOISE, Idaho - The Idaho Department of Lands has auctioned 14 lots along Payette Lake for more than $7.8 million.  Officials said Friday that two of the lots had competitive bidding, where the current lessees lost to the winning bidders. Those lots sold for a combined $54,500 over appraised value - winning bidders must pay the lessees for the appraised value of their cabins and other improvements.

    >>

    BOISE, Idaho - The Idaho Department of Lands has auctioned 14 lots along Payette Lake for more than $7.8 million.  Officials said Friday that two of the lots had competitive bidding, where the current lessees lost to the winning bidders. Those lots sold for a combined $54,500 over appraised value - winning bidders must pay the lessees for the appraised value of their cabins and other improvements.

    >>

  • Mayor: Seattle Pride Parade celebrates unity

    Mayor: Seattle Pride Parade celebrates unity

    Sunday, June 25 2017 2:34 PM EDT2017-06-25 18:34:31 GMT

    SEATTLE (AP) - As temperatures began to rise, hundreds of men, women and children carrying rainbow flags hit the streets in the 43th annual Seattle Pride Parade on Sunday.      Seattle Mayor Ed Murray said on Twitter that the city is celebrating unity and a strong community.

    >>

    SEATTLE (AP) - As temperatures began to rise, hundreds of men, women and children carrying rainbow flags hit the streets in the 43th annual Seattle Pride Parade on Sunday.      Seattle Mayor Ed Murray said on Twitter that the city is celebrating unity and a strong community.

    >>

  • Matt Hanson, Haley Chura win IRONMAN Coeur d'Alene 70.3

    Matt Hanson, Haley Chura win IRONMAN Coeur d'Alene 70.3

    COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho - The pro triathlon athletes have crossed the finish line in Coeur d'Alene. After hitting the water at 6 a.m. the two champions, Matt Hanson and Haley Chura were crowned Sunday morning in the IRONMAN Coeur d'Alene 70.3 race.

    >>

    COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho - The pro triathlon athletes have crossed the finish line in Coeur d'Alene. After hitting the water at 6 a.m. the two champions, Matt Hanson and Haley Chura were crowned Sunday morning in the IRONMAN Coeur d'Alene 70.3 race.

    >>
    •