There were 400 enemy soldiers. And we had 52 great americans. Didnt seem fair to them. Captioning sponsored by cbs this is the cbs evening news with scott pelley. Pelley good evening. When the news got out today, catholics all over the world were asking whether they had heard correctly. Something that just doesnt happen just did a pope resigned. Pope benedict xvi, 85 years old and frail, told a meeting of cardinals today he no longer has the physical and mental strength to carry out his responsibilities. On february 28, he will become the first phone step down since the 15th century, leaving the church in search of a new leader. We have a team of correspondents covering this historic day and the future of the Catholic Church beginning with allen pizzey in vatican city. Reporter the surprise announcement was delivered to a gathering of cardinals in latin. Citing his age, Pope Benedict said to do his work both strength of mind and body are necessary and that his have deteriorated to the
If you tell anybody, your parents will burn in hell. Narrator of secrets and hypocrisy. So there we were, where they had had sex all night long, and he took out all his paraphernalia and started to celebrate mass. Narrator and a story of leaked documents exposing a bitter internal power struggle. I published documents dealing with corruption, scandals, frauds, nepotism. Narrator now a new pope, francis, must battle the forces that overwhelmed his predecessor. If he wants to change the church, its going to mean decisive action. And its risky to take on the vatican curia. Tonight on frontline, secrets of the vatican. Frontlinis made possible by contributions to your pbs station from viewers like you. And by the corporation for public broadcasting. Major support for frontliis provided by the john d. And catherine t. Macarthur foundation, committed to building a more just, verdant and peaceful world. More information is available at macfound. Org. Additional funding is provided by the park
Himself, he said if he felt his strength and his body wasnt up to speed to comply with the duties that were that are expected of a pontiff, and very heavy duties like traveling around, attending ceremonies, working nonstop. At 85, thats tiring for everybody, for any man his age, let alone a pontiff and the pope and leader of 1 billion catholics around the world, but nobody really believed that would happen or nobody believed that would happen before at least next year, because this, maybe i remind you, is the year of the faith. So that came as a surprise to everybody, as you heard card natural dolan doesnt know about it. Certainly he is not the only one, because the spokesperson for the vatican even said he was shocked. He didnt see it coming, and so didnt his closest aides. As we know, when benedict was named as pope, he was one of the oldest popes to take over that job. George, let me talk to you about the fact that we are hearing all the different reactions coming in now just from H
Of the Union Address, Vice President biden is meeting with Law Enforcement officials in philadelphia about reducing gun violence. While victims of gun violence, like former congresswoman Gabby Giffords, takes a stand. We have a problem where we shop, where we pray, where our children go to school. Take it from me. Congress must act. And this hour president obama will be awarding the medal of army to Staff Sergeant clinton for courage under fire in afghanistan. He is only the fourth living recipient of the militarys highest honor for service in iraq or afghanistan. Good day. Im Andrea Mitchell live in washington. A stunning announcement this morning from rome. Pope benedict xvi is abdicating his office. Joining me now is ann thompson, lee at st. Patricks cathedral in new york city, of course, and nbc vatican analyst George Weigel is here with me, and we begin with claudio. You were shocked by this. People in st. Peters square didnt even know that it was happening. Tell us what happened.
Square. Theyve got it all cleaned up. Its monday, february 11th. Welcome to morning joe. With us on set, we have National Affairs editor for new York Magazine and msnbc political analyst, John Heilemann. Morning. On his way, msnbc and Time Magazine political analyst, Mark Halperin. Hes sauntering down the hall. You know, hes going to make it here when he can. Hes on joe time. Willie, how are you doing . Did you make it through the snow this weekend . I did. Thats a more difficult walk than you know. You went skiing. I did. Did you see the grammys last night . I saw a little bit. Then i fell asleep. Funs on right now. Yes. Brooklyn band had best song, right . Big night for a good band. You know, the grammys used to be terrible. All you need to know about the grammys is that john lennon never got one until he died. And in 64, the year of the beatles coming to america, theres fun, they didnt win. But suddenly you turn on the grammys, and great music is breaking out. One of my favorites pe