anna matranga has the latest. >> reporter: pope benedict xvi stunned the public saying he no longer has the strength to do the job. church leaders express their sadness. >> it's like watching your own dad get old and admit that he's not up to all the duties of being the lead of the family involves. >> reporter: postseason benedict became the head of the catholic church in 2005. he tackled the priest abuse scandal apologizes to victims and acknowledging the church's mistake. there's several contenders but no clear front runner. >> who among this body has the qualifications, the characteristics, the spiritual gifts to fill that chair. >> reporter: pope benedict xvi appointed half the cardinals who will choose his successor. anna matranga, wjz news. >> so how are arch arch bishops and catholics responding to this announcement? >> reporter: like many people across the world right now they're very surprised and parishioners are calling this unexpected. parishioners attending afternoon mass are saddened to hear the leader of more than a billion catholics pope benedict xvi is stepping down. sa

cbs reporter, anna matranga was at the vatican, when the pope asked his followers for their prayers. >>> the pope blessed 100,000 people today. cbs reporter was at the vatican when the pope asked his followers for his prayers. >> reporter: chaptering "long live the pope" and waving banners, 10s of thousands of people came to the square to see the pope before he resigned. >> thank you for the prayers and support. >> reporter: the 85-year-old appeared from the window for the first time since announcing his resignation. he asked for prayers for himself and the next pope. it was not just catholics that came to hear benedict's second to last weekly blessing. >> being jewish i did not think it would be that big of a deal but it was moving to see it. see all of the people who supported him. >> reporter: cardinals around the world are starting to gather here at the vatican. they will hold a farewell ceremony with the pope and then set a date for the gathering called the congave to elect his successor. >> reporter: he is the first pope to retire in 600 years. >> it raises questions because no

. >> anna matranga live at the vatican, thank you so much. >>> and the pope's decision is drawing varied reactions from catholics here in san francisco. some are concerned about the timing while others are talking about what kind of successor should be chosen. kpix 5 reporter cate caugiran talked today with parishioners and clergy. >>> reporter: many parishioners coming to st. mary's cathedral were hearing the news for the first time. >> is the pope saying this is the best decision he has made? i think this -- i don't know. this is a major decision i would say he has made. i would want to stand by him. >> reporter: the move comes two days before lent, the holiest time of the year for catholics. some parishioners say it's poorly timed. >> it's a matter of, you know, if he have the strength to go on, then stay on. >> reporter: 89-year-old pope benedict made it clear in the past he would step down if he couldn't do the job. the san francisco archdiocese agrees with his move. >> this is an act of boldness on the part of this pope and also and act of great humility. i think he recognizes that

t anna matranga has reaction. >> reporter: pope benedict xvi stunned the vatican saying he no longer has the strength to do the job. the 85-year-old pontiff says he will step down at the end of the month becoming the first pope to resign in 600 years. church leaders express their sadness. >> it's like watching your own dad get old. and admit that he's not up to all the duties of being a head of a family involves. >> reporter: the news quickly spread through st. peter's square. >> i hope the next pope can be better than this one. >> reporter: pope benedict became head of the catholic church succeeding pope john paul. some say he didn't go far enough. >> he wasn't ever as popular as the other popes and there are a lot of questions over how he handled the sex scandal in particular. >> reporter: there are several contenders but no clear front runner. >> who among this body has the qualifications, the characteristics, the spiritual gifts to fill that chair. >> reporter: pope benedict appointed half the cardinals that will choose his successor. the vatican hopes to have a new pope by easte