By Natalie Zarowny
nzarowny@cbs4qc.com
When the doors opened today at Alleman High School in Rock Island, staff and teachers said the place was buzzing with conversation.
"I said to myself, the Holy Father resigning? I say, my gosh!" said Father Mirabelli, development director of Alleman High School.
Alleman's Father Mirabelli wasn't the only one who was surprised.
"I talked to teachers this morning as they were coming up and down the halls getting ready for class, it's the same thing, like can you believe it? Can you believe it?" said Principal Colin Letendre.
And for religious education teachers, today's event is a lesson served on a silver platter.
"It's something very newsworthy for us as Catholics," said religious education teacher Sister Maria Regina.
As soon as the bell rang at Alleman this morning, Sister Maria Regina was ready to start a conversation with her students.
"I start off each one of my classes explaining probably why," said Sister Maria Regina.
Most in Sister Maria Regina's class are too young to clearly remember the last time there was a new pope back in 2005 – that's big news in itself.
But the fact that Pope Benedict the 16th is resigning makes the teaching moment that much stronger.
"We weren't expecting anything like this at all; normally a pope does not resign," said Sister Maria Regina.
As events unfold, Sister Maria Regina said she and her students will be watching closely as a new holy father is chosen.
"We will keep an eye on the news and watch to see when that will actually happen," said Sister Maria Regina.
Pope Benedict the 16th will officially resign on February 28th.
The conclave will be electing a new pope before the end of March.
