Bishop Surprised by Pope Resignation - WICU12/WSEE Erie, PA News, Sports, Weather and Events

Erie Catholic Bishop Lawrence Persico told reporters this afternoon that he was "surprised" by the decision of Pope Benedict XVI to resign, the first such resignation from a sitting pontiff since the Middle Ages.

In fact, Persico said when a staff member told him that a new pope would have to be selected, Persico initially feared that Benedict had passed away.

The Erie bishop told reporters that he respected the Pope for understanding his human limitations and possessing the humility to walk away from the most powerful position in the Catholic church.

Persico told reporters that he never met Benedict personally, but will always share a bond with him since Benedict elevated Persico to become the bishop of the Erie Catholic Diocese.