CHARLESTON, SC (WCSC) -
Bishop Robert Guglielmone
says during his time with Pope Benedict last May, he could see the toll his
role was taking.
"During the meeting,
Pope Benedict seemed physically tired. He wore the expression of an 85-year-old
man dealing with his age."
In his announcement, the pope
attributed his decision to his age saying he was unable to "adequately
fulfill the ministry entrusted to him." Bishop Guglielmone says despite
the pope's health, he remembers a man energized about technology in spreading Catholicism. He began
tweeting in December.
"When we started
talking about the use of modern technology, he just lit up and really became
very excited about that and entered the conversation quite animatedly."
But, he believes with
technology came more pressure.
"The demands of the
present age and the constant speed in which so much happens because of
technology, I think the role has changed"
Some parishioners say they
will miss him and his teachings.
"I think the pope
knows what he needs to know, and he does what is necessary for our church, and
I'm proud of him," says Mary Wiseman, a parishioner. "He knows when it's
necessary to step down and bring forth more, something new for us."
As far as a selecting a
successor, the bishop says there's no telling who it could be.
"Neither John Paul nor Benedict were
expected originally to be elected, so who knows where this is all going to
go."
