S it he a place where tourists and pilgrims gather on a daily bases. Any idea the reaction of the people among the street or in the plaza . Reporter oh, yeah. We spoke to a number of people here. They saw all of the cameras charging over them. They were there to visit st. Peters square on a quiet monday morning as the tourists do here. They asked us what is going on. Nobody really got the news. When they told them Pope Benedict xvi was redesignisignry didnt know. Actually, he can, but obviously, no pope has done that for 700 years. So no wonder people are aware of that. For now on that may change the course of the Catholic Church in the future as well as Pope Benedict xvi is setting an example. If you dont have the strength to carry on let someone younger and more strength to carry on the mission. It certainly is a monument ool announcement. Claudio, thank you very much. This morning we spoke with greg burke the senior communication adviser to the holy see in rome. We began by asking h
What did i say, hoda . You said it was going to be beautiful in southern california, and it is. You know who we have to thank for that . The l. A. Tourism board. Yes, we do. By the way, you guys, for those of you that dont know, this is an outdoor mall, which i am unfamiliar with. The sun is shining. Anyway, were just steps away from the third street promenade. Which has been around for a long, long time in the little wonderful town of santa monica, which is this gem community, isnt it, in the middle of los angeles. Youre right on the ocean. Its gorgeous. We want to point out, we have a spectacular looking crowd. Yes, we do. We have something for one of you. One person in this audience is going to get a spectacular prize. And its not blake. Its not even a mug. Its not even a mug. Its better than a kathie lee cd. Dont push it. Its even better than a hoda ten years later book. Oh, you got it . Yes, she does. Were going to reveal the person, and this person is going to be just knocked off
Oh, oh, oh. Oh. Coats off. Doing it right now. Come on. Hi, everybody. Im going to put mine in the palm tree. Oh, my word. Hi. Good to see you. Hello. Kath. Kath. Thats of you. Oh, my gosh. Thank you. Thank you. Wonderful. Come on. Hey. How are you guys . Nice to see you. Oh. Help me. Here we are. Oh, oh, oh, oh. Hello, everybody. It is nice here at santa monica place. Wait a minute. Oh, yes. It feels so good. What did i say, hoda . You said it was going to be beautiful in southern california, and it is. You know who we have to thank for that . The l. A. Tourism board. Yes, we do. By the way, you guys, for those of you that dont know, this is an outdoor mall, which i am unfamiliar with. The sun is shining. Anyway, were just steps away from the third street promenade. Which has been around for a long, long time in the little wonderful town of santa monica, which is this gem community, isnt it, in the middle of los angeles. Youre right on the ocean. Its gorgeous. We want to point out, we
Morning. Im matt lauer. And im savannah guthrie. Cant say that this is unprecedented for a pope to just step down, but you have to go back 1600 years to find another example of it. Pope benedict xvi announcing he is stepping down as leader of the Catholic Church. Huge news for the worlds 1 billion catholics. And noncatholics as well. The 85yearold pope made the announcement moments ago, saying his strength is no longer adequate to carry on his duties. In a moment well talk about the decision with Timothy Cardinal dolan, the highest ranking catholic here in the united states. Claudeio is in rome. This morning, would you say this is total surprise . Reporter matt, this was total surprise. Always clear that Pope Benedict xvi was getting weaker by the month. Every time we saw him coming out on official celebration, he did look weaker and weaker, but then he again he is an 85yearold man. John paul ii before him was even in worse shape and he did not resign. Nobody was really expecting him t
Oh, oh, oh. Oh. Coats off. Doing it right now. Come on. Hi, everybody. Im going to put mine in the palm tree. Oh, my word. Hi. Good to see you. Hello. Kath. Kath. Thats of you. Oh, my gosh. Thank you. Thank you. Wonderful. Come on. Hey. How are you guys . Nice to see you. Oh. Help me. Here we are. Oh, oh, oh, oh. Hello, everybody. It is nice here at santa monica place. Wait a minute. Oh, yes. It feels so good. What did i say, hoda . You said it was going to be beautiful in southern california, and it is. You know who we have to thank for that . The l. A. Tourism board. Yes, we do. By the way, you guys, for those of you that dont know, this is an outdoor mall, which i am unfamiliar with. The sun is shining. Anyway, were just steps away from the third street promenade. Which has been around for a long, long time in the little wonderful town of santa monica, which is this gem community, isnt it, in the middle of los angeles. Youre right on the ocean. Its gorgeous. We want to point out, we