Cardinal Dolan reacts to Pope’s announcement

New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan says he was startled by Pope Benedict XVI’s announcement that he will resign this month due to deteriorating health, according to The Associated Press.

Dolan said on the “Today” show Monday morning that he feels a special bond with the pope because he is the one who appointed him archbishop of New York.

The pope announced Monday that he will resign on Feb. 28 citing his health and advanced age. He is 85 years old. He is the first pope to resign in nearly 600 years.

Dolan says the conclave to elect a new pope in March should look for the kind of qualities Pope Benedict possessed: knowledge about the world, a theological depth, personal piety and linguistic talent.