Pope Benedict XVI ascended to the papacy in the spring of 2005 following the death of beloved Pope John Paul II. After nearly eight years as the head of the Roman Catholic Church, Benedict XVI becomes just the fifth pope to resign the office and the first since 1415 when Gregory XII stepped aside. The 85-year-old pontiff's last day on the job will be Feb. 28, according to PBS.
Several American politicians reacted to Benedict XVI's announcement with respect, surprise and humility with an eye towards the future.
* President Barack Obama extended "appreciation and prayers" on behalf of all Americans. Obama and his family met the pontiff in 2009 on a trip to Rome. The president also said, "The church plays a critical role in the United States and the world" before sending best wishes to those who elect the next pope.
* Speaker of the House John Boehner glowingly praised Benedict XVI for his years in office. He said the pope "displays extraordinary humility and love for the church, two things that have been hallmarks of his service." Boehner's statement got a little more religious mentioning Benedict XVI's "sacrifices ... throughout the world in the name of Our Lord and Savior."
* Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., a Catholic himself, called the pontiff a "brilliant intellect" for his books and homilies. The former vice presidential candidate also praised the pope's defense of "dignity of the human person and the universal right to religious liberty."
* House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., also praised the pope's books in addition to his "spirituality, leadership and vision for the future." Pelosi thanked the pontiff "for his legacy of concern for children ... ." It should be noted that Benedict XVI oversaw some of the Catholic Church's controversial decisions regarding priests and church leaders accused of sexually abusing children and subsequent cover-ups by bishops.
* Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., a Catholic himself, praised his church's head by saying, "Benedict XVI displayed the qualities of an excellent leader ... by putting the interests of ... the Catholic Church over his own papacy." Rubio also looks "with optimism toward the future" as the College of Cardinals gets ready to select a new pope sometime in mid-March.
* Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, also praised Benedict XVI as a "true intellectual powerhouse" who "stood for principle" before saying the pontiff will be "dearly missed." Cruz is a freshman senator recently elected to the post.
* Rep. Michael Grimm, R-N.Y., was "surprised and saddened to hear the news" of Benedict XVI's resignation. The representative joined other New Yorkers in expressing shock at the announcement. Grimm praised the pontiff "for putting the future of the Catholic Church before all else." Grimm, a Catholic himself, put in a vote for Cardinal Timothy Dolan to be Benedict XVI's successor. Dolan is the current cardinal of New York.
William Browning is a research librarian specializing in U.S. politics.
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