February 12, 2012 (Romereports.com) One of the cardinals who was with the Pope when he announced his resignation, is Cardinal Jozef Tomko. He says he was surprised and did not see it coming.
“Like everyone, I was surprised because no one knew and no one expected it," said the Cardinal. "But it's true that now we see that the weight of the Papacy is enormous. The problems with which he faced those enormous responsibilities, it shows that the responsibility he shows is very strong.”
The cardinal says it was a sense of responsibility that prompted the Pope to resign, giving his age and lack of physical strength. Cardinal Tomko says he understands it very clearly. CARD. JOZEF TOMKO Prefect Emeritus, Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples “I am 88 years old, so I can say with experience, because, for example, I used to climb a mountain. Today if I go, half an hour, 40 minutes walking on flat surfaces, I tire easily.”
Throughout his lifetime, Cardinal Tomko has seen six pontificates. He says the same questions always arise. After this great Pope, who will be the new Pontiff?
CARD. JOZEF TOMKO Prefect Emeritus, Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples “We live in a period of great Popes, great in truth, in the same way that in the past we had several that were not very great. So we see that Holy Spirit has chosen well.”
The decision will also depend on the 117 cardinals that will gather in the coming weeks for the conclave.
February 12, 2012 (Romereports.com) One of the cardinals who was with the Pope when he announced his resignation, is Cardinal Jozef Tomko. He says he was surprised and did not see it coming. 
