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Council of catholic bishops. >> i was very startled. i don't know what to say. i myself am waiting for information, for instructions, as to what we would do now as the college of cardinals and, boy, as soon as i find out i'll let you know. >> reporter: now, it is doubly shocking because wednesday begins the holiest time of the christian calendar. it begins lent. also the vatican spokesman may have wanted to avoid many strenuous engagements that are called on him during the month, during the few weeks of lent. and that is the reason why he is stepping down right now. martha: well, that could be...

Your initial reaction? what do you think? >> i was shocked as cardinal dolan mentioned. he was shocked. above all because the vatican doesn't like to set new precedent. this is, this is huge in the sense that the next pope, soon as he starts getting sick or elderly, people are going to start asking him very strongly, are you ready to resign? and the reason why, in the past the popes have been very reluctant to do so, they have recognized that the main job of a pope is not to be a manager but rather to protect the teachings of the church and the teachings of the bible. to pass on something to f...

Would have to believed to be a senior member of al qaeda or an affiliate to be targeted in this way but there's a concern, a larger concern it could happen at home and that is another reason why this gets a ton of attention, skirs den. what is your concerns in that regard. >> of course it could happen at home. that is not necessarily a reason to be concerned. i reject the term collateral damage. these are human beings who are killed. i know that is how we talk about it. there are no different than we are. these are people who have done nothing wrong being blown into pieces by american drones a...

Great to be back with you. the 85-year-old pontiff says his poor health is the reason for his resignation. that could leave rome without a pope for nearly a month. martha: lauren green outside st. patrick's cathedral with how catholics are reacting today. what is the clergy in the united states is reacting to this? >> reporter: the realization they could have a new pope by easter which is march 31st. global population of 1.2 billion catholics is trying to absorb the news that pope benedict will step down in a little more than two weeks. the a vatican spokesman says this was the pope's personal...