WASHINGTON— With news of Pope Benedict XVI’s abrupt resignation stunning Christians worldwide, young American Catholics were left confused yet optimistic Monday about the future of the Church.
“It is not necessarily a sad event but it is kind of a somber time,” Catholic University student Joanna Gardner said. “I came to an understanding of my faith at the same time this man was the pope of my Church.”
Pope Benedict XVI is the first pope to resign since Gregory XII nearly 600 years ago.
He cites the reason for his departure as failing health, leaving the world’s 1.2 billion Catholics temporarily without a leader starting on February 28.
Patrick Boyden, head of the Knights of Columbus Council at Georgetown University, woke up to the news of the pope’s decision on Twitter and Facebook. While originally taken aback by the announcement, he believes the pope has served as a solid foundation for his church.
“The initial reaction was that of surprise, but then you start thinking about it and realizing that for Pope Benedict, I’m sure so much thought and prayer went into this decision,” the Georgetown junior said. “A lot of people said you can’t live up to John Paul II, but I think Benedict did the best job possible; the next pope has big shoes to fill.”
Not all Catholics were pleased with the Vatican’s actions during the past eight years. As a Catholic who does not agree with the Church’s position on gay marriage and abortion, twenty-year-old Kathleen Kirk was relieved when she heard of the pope’s resignation. She said that Benedict has suffered in comparison to John Paul II, a charismatic world leader who was admired and respected by other faiths.
“I don’t think he has used [his title] as he could and as he should,” Kirk, a Georgetown sophomore, said.
While there may be a cry for change, Father Thomas Reese thinks the next pope will be someone who reflects Benedict’s beliefs and values; he appointed 67 or the 118 cardinals who are eligible to vote at the next conclave.
“With the next pope, we are going to see a lot more continuity than we will see change,” said Reese, a senior fellow at the Woodstock Theological Center at Georgetown University. “We are not going to see major changes in substance. What we will see changes in is personality and the style of the pope, just because people are different.”
And, maybe personality adjustment is all that is needed. Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, former archbishop of the Washington Diocese, participated in the 2005 papal conclave. McCarrick believes the successor should have the “essence” of the wisdom and knowledge of Benedict XVI, along with the energy and charisma of John Paul II in order to inspire young Catholics.
“I certainly think it is a special moment to do what [Pope Benedict] said in the very beginning of his service…he said the church is young and the church is alive,” McCarrick said. “[The next pope] has to make sure that [the church] has enough life and joy in it that it can reflect the Lord’s message and really answer the challenges that young people face today.”
