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>>

  • 84 Children Rescued, 120 Human Traffickers Arrested Across U.S., FBI Says

    84 Children Rescued, 120 Human Traffickers Arrested Across U.S., FBI Says

    Thursday, October 19 2017 7:49 AM EDT2017-10-19 11:49:24 GMT
    NBC NEWS - The FBI rescued 84 children from the grips of a multi-state human trafficking ring and arrested 120 traffickers Wednesday, announcing the successful sting in a statement. Operation Cross Country XI focused the attention of law enforcement agencies on a single goal: taking out "pimps" who run human trafficking rings. "We at the FBI have no greater mission than to protect our nation's children from harm. Unfortunately, the number of traffickers arrested ...>>
    NBC NEWS - The FBI rescued 84 children from the grips of a multi-state human trafficking ring and arrested 120 traffickers Wednesday, announcing the successful sting in a statement. Operation Cross Country XI focused the attention of law enforcement agencies on a single goal: taking out "pimps" who run human trafficking rings. "We at the FBI have no greater mission than to protect our nation's children from harm. Unfortunately, the number of traffickers arrested ...>>

  • Woman run over by cyclist on Centennial Trail files lawsuit

    Woman run over by cyclist on Centennial Trail files lawsuit

    Wednesday, October 18 2017 10:51 PM EDT2017-10-19 02:51:08 GMT

    SPOKANE, Wash. - A Spokane woman who was run over by a cyclist last month on the Centennial Trail has filed a lawsuit against the man she says didn’t even try to avoid smashing into her. On Sept. 22, 67-year-old Virginia Pearsall was walking near Kendall Yards with her sister when she heard someone behind her yell, “Hot pizza!” "I felt like I got hit by a truck," said Pearsall. "The impact was so great, it was unbelievable." 

    >>

    SPOKANE, Wash. - A Spokane woman who was run over by a cyclist last month on the Centennial Trail has filed a lawsuit against the man she says didn’t even try to avoid smashing into her. On Sept. 22, 67-year-old Virginia Pearsall was walking near Kendall Yards with her sister when she heard someone behind her yell, “Hot pizza!” "I felt like I got hit by a truck," said Pearsall. "The impact was so great, it was unbelievable." 

    >>

  • Semi with brakes tied together using plastic grocery bag crashes on interstate

    Semi with brakes tied together using plastic grocery bag crashes on interstate

    Thursday, October 19 2017 12:24 AM EDT2017-10-19 04:24:21 GMT
    @wspd1pio@wspd1pio

    TACOMA, Wash. - Washington State Patrol believes faulty brakes and speed contributed to a semi truck crash on the SR 16 interchange with northbound I-5 in Tacoma Tuesday evening.  Troopers say the truck was headed eastbound on SR 16 when it rolled on the rap to northbound I-5.  Trooper Brooke Bova tweeted photos form the scene, including one which showed the truck's brake lines tied together with a plastic grocery bag.  The 

    >>

    TACOMA, Wash. - Washington State Patrol believes faulty brakes and speed contributed to a semi truck crash on the SR 16 interchange with northbound I-5 in Tacoma Tuesday evening.  Troopers say the truck was headed eastbound on SR 16 when it rolled on the rap to northbound I-5.  Trooper Brooke Bova tweeted photos form the scene, including one which showed the truck's brake lines tied together with a plastic grocery bag.  The 

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

  • National NewsMore>>

  • Mad Minute stories from Wednesday, October 18th

    Mad Minute stories from Wednesday, October 18th

    Thursday, October 19 2017 2:48 AM EDT2017-10-19 06:48:02 GMT

    Here are the extended versions of the KHQ Local News 11 at 11 Mad Minute stories from Wednesday, October 18th.

    >>

    Here are the extended versions of the KHQ Local News 11 at 11 Mad Minute stories from Wednesday, October 18th.

    >>

  • The Latest: Sheriff's office identifies 3 killed in Maryland

    The Latest: Sheriff's office identifies 3 killed in Maryland

    Wednesday, October 18 2017 9:10 PM EDT2017-10-19 01:10:21 GMT

    EDGEWOOD, Md. - A Maryland sheriff says three people have been killed and two were wounded during a shooting at an office park in the northeastern part of the state. Harford County Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler identified the shooter Wednesday morning as 37-year-old Radee Labeeb Prince. He says Prince opened fire with a handgun and police are looking for him. He is considered armed and dangerous.

    >>

    EDGEWOOD, Md. - A Maryland sheriff says three people have been killed and two were wounded during a shooting at an office park in the northeastern part of the state. Harford County Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler identified the shooter Wednesday morning as 37-year-old Radee Labeeb Prince. He says Prince opened fire with a handgun and police are looking for him. He is considered armed and dangerous.

    >>

  • Newspaper lands easy scoop: Corvette crashes into its office

    Newspaper lands easy scoop: Corvette crashes into its office

    Wednesday, October 18 2017 7:38 PM EDT2017-10-18 23:38:22 GMT
    (Vernon Ogrodnek / AP)(Vernon Ogrodnek / AP)

    PLEASANTVILLE, N.J. (AP) - A New Jersey newspaper has scored an easy scoop. A Corvette crashed into the newsroom of the Press of Atlantic City newspaper in Pleasantville. The newspaper reports the car's driver fell asleep Tuesday before driving through an intersection, jumping a curb, traveling about 75 feet (23 meters) and then slamming into the newspaper's office. No one in the office was hurt. The crash shattered two first-floor windows and knoc...

    >>

    PLEASANTVILLE, N.J. (AP) - A New Jersey newspaper has scored an easy scoop. A Corvette crashed into the newsroom of the Press of Atlantic City newspaper in Pleasantville. The newspaper reports the car's driver fell asleep Tuesday before driving through an intersection, jumping a curb, traveling about 75 feet (23 meters) and then slamming into the newspaper's office. No one in the office was hurt. The crash shattered two first-floor windows and knoc...

    >>
    •   

  • Top Stories from KHQHomeMore>>

  • Over half million wind-up musical toys recalled due to choking hazard

    Over half million wind-up musical toys recalled due to choking hazard

    Thursday, October 19 2017 7:32 PM EDT2017-10-19 23:32:05 GMT
    Courtesy CPSCCourtesy CPSC
    More than half a million wind-up musical toys under multiple brand names are being recalled due to a choking hazard, following half a dozen reports of a wind-up handle detaching from a toy. The recall issued by Kids Preferred involves a wind-up toy under four brand names: Carter's, Child of Mine, Guess how much I love you, and Just One You. The firm has received six reports of the metal wind-up handle detaching from the toy, and are concerned that it poses as a choking threat to sma...>>
    More than half a million wind-up musical toys under multiple brand names are being recalled due to a choking hazard, following half a dozen reports of a wind-up handle detaching from a toy. The recall issued by Kids Preferred involves a wind-up toy under four brand names: Carter's, Child of Mine, Guess how much I love you, and Just One You. The firm has received six reports of the metal wind-up handle detaching from the toy, and are concerned that it poses as a choking threat to sma...>>

  • Selkirk tenant sparks house fire after using diesel to start fireplace

    Selkirk tenant sparks house fire after using diesel to start fireplace

    Thursday, October 19 2017 7:11 PM EDT2017-10-19 23:11:47 GMT
    Selkirk Fire & EMSSelkirk Fire & EMS
    Selkirk Fire would like to remind residents not to use an accelerate to ignite their in-home fireplaces, after a tenant caught their home on fire while using diesel to start their fireplace. Fire crews responded to the structure fire Thursday afternoon on Highway 95, North of Dufort Rd. Firefighter's made an aggressive attack and knocked down the fire within 30 minutes. The tenant sustained only minor injuries. The damage is estimated at an excess of $300,000. >>
    Selkirk Fire would like to remind residents not to use an accelerate to ignite their in-home fireplaces, after a tenant caught their home on fire while using diesel to start their fireplace. Fire crews responded to the structure fire Thursday afternoon on Highway 95, North of Dufort Rd. Firefighter's made an aggressive attack and knocked down the fire within 30 minutes. The tenant sustained only minor injuries. The damage is estimated at an excess of $300,000. >>

  • Keeping it local: King, Snohomish counties bid for Amazon HQ

    Keeping it local: King, Snohomish counties bid for Amazon HQ

    Thursday, October 19 2017 6:44 PM EDT2017-10-19 22:44:11 GMT

    SEATTLE, Wash. (AP) - Washington state's King and Snohomish counties are urging Amazon to keep its second headquarters local. In a joint bid for the company's "HQ2" submitted Thursday, the counties touted "a world-class workforce," ''unbeatable lifestyle" and "sustainable environment with a growing public transportation infrastructure." They offered up 10 potential sites for Amazon to choose from: Arlington and Marysville; Auburn; 

    >>

    SEATTLE, Wash. (AP) - Washington state's King and Snohomish counties are urging Amazon to keep its second headquarters local. In a joint bid for the company's "HQ2" submitted Thursday, the counties touted "a world-class workforce," ''unbeatable lifestyle" and "sustainable environment with a growing public transportation infrastructure." They offered up 10 potential sites for Amazon to choose from: Arlington and Marysville; Auburn; 

    >>
    •