“With full freedom I declare that I renounce the ministry of Bishop of Rome, Successor of Saint Peter, entrusted to me by the Cardinals on 19 April 2005”

Those words have sent a shock wave around the world and were stunning surprise to me as I began my week here in Washington, DC. Here are my first reactions.

#1) In a world obsessed with power and prestige, we have seen an act of such profound and public humility.

There was no big press conference. It was a simple and humble announcement to his brother bishops gathered around him.

#2) Perhaps we should have seen this coming.

When Pope John Paul II’s health deteriorated, Benedict suggested that if the former pope “sees that he absolutely cannot do it anymore, then certainly he will resign.”

In in an interview with Peter Seewald for his 2010 book Light for the World, Benedict said ‘‘[i]f a pope clearly realizes that he is no longer physically, psychologically and spiritually capable of handling the duties of his office, then he has a right, and under some circumstances, also an obligation to resign.’’

As cardinal, Joseph Ratzinger openly expressed his desired to retire three separate times: in l991, in l996 and again in 2001, several months before he reached his 75th birthday. The Cardinal spoke of wanting to write books and return to his studies, living a much less public life. John Paul II declined each time to allow him to do so.

Joseph Ratzinger has always been known as a humble man, and today we saw that evidenced in such a clear way. Benedict the Meek has abdicated the papacy for the good of the Church. As his statement expresses, he knows that serving as the spiritual leader of one billion people requires total strength of mind and health, something he has lost in the past months.

#3) This seems like an untimely time to step down.

Something doesn’t quite add up here. Last year, Benedict announced a Year of Faith which will end on this year’s Feast of Christ the King in November. To coincide with the jubilee year, Benedict announced he would be penning his fourth papal encyclical at some point in the new few months.

And finally, World Youth Day will come to Rio this summer.

So I ask with great charity and curiosity: why now?

For now, I join people of good will across the world in praying for this good and holy man.

May God ever bless Benedict the Meek.