Vatican City, Feb 11, 2013 / 11:49 am
Cardinal Angelo Sodano, the dean of the College of Cardinals, told Pope Benedict XVI that his pontificate will always shine like a star as he reacted to the news of Pope's resignation.
"The stars in the sky will continue to shine and your pontificate will always shine like them among us," said Cardinal Angelo Sodano, just after the Pope read his declaration of resignation on Feb. 11.
"We have heard you with a sense of astonishment, almost in disbelief," Cardinal Sodano said in front of a group of cardinals gathered at the Vatican to decide on three canonization proposals.
"In your words, we have noticed the big affection that you have always had towards God's Holy Church, for this Church that you have always loved," he added.