Page 2 - Greg Tobin News Today

Few bishops in the world have done. reporter: ironically in a sense what the experts say this pope will most be remembered for is the way that he left the office. resigning. the first time its happened in 600 years. >> shepard: you mentioned transitional. i remember when he was inaugurated. thats the same thing they were saying about him, because of his age. whoever the new pope is, man, the challenges ahead are incredible. >> a lot of challenges, and experts say the sex abuse scandal is somethi...

Days, in total. a not insignificant time. experts all say he will be seen as a transitional rather than a transformational pope. that is not to say some of his actions werent significant, though. for instance, they say that his outreach to the muslim world, including visiting the blue mosque in turkey, was a very significant action, and, according to greg tobin, he was the first pope to truly face up to see sex abuse scandal. listen. >> he will bled as someone who did more than anyone else befor...

Since the end of communism in that country. he recalled the ambassador of ireland over unprecedented attack by the churchs leader over the handling of the child abuse sex scandal. he nominated 22 cardinals increasing that the chance that is the pontiff will be con. do we believe that. just this past september pope benedict hit 1 millionth mark on twitter. he is 1.million. >> 12th of the 22 were europeans. by numbers it weights them heavier in the group that would be picked from but well see. bil...

them by surprise. the news broke a couple hours ago. in his statement he says after repeatedly examined my conscience before god that my strength due to an advanced age are no longer suited to the petrine ministry. >> reporter: pope benedict 16 says he will be quitting february 28, less than 8 years into his papacy. he said his strength has deteriorated the last couple months and he noted a lack of strength to fulfill his mission. the senior sa senior advisor sae noticed the pope slowi...

0 >> gretchen: that was fun with carry on from the grammys last night. >> brian: it was raining there. >> steve: it looked like it. >> brian: real quick, chris kyle is being memorialized, this navy seal. i did a half hour interview with him which we posted on the web site. it was real good. its a good perspective on who he was. >> steve: fantastic. thats going to wrap up our program for today. throughout the day, youll hear the very latest on the pope suddenly resigning. and of course, here on o...

Overflow. msnbcs live coverage starts at 4:00 a.m. eastern live on sunday and you can follow it on twitter. joining us at the head of the table, ahead of this historic event is greg tobin author of "the good pope, the making of a saint and the remaking of the church." help us, please, make the case for both of these men becoming saints. >> for both of these men, as was said in the lead-in, there really is an acknowledgeable historically, theologically and popularly that both of these men lived l...