Pope Benedict XVI stunned the world this week with the surprise announcement that he has decided to resign—the first pope to step down in 600 years. Pope Benedict’s resignation is to take effect on February 28. The College of Cardinals is expected to convene in March, which means that a new pope will almost certainly have been chosen by Easter.

Watch our stories this week on reaction to the papal resignation and on the process of choosing a new pope. Also, watch our conversation about papal resignation and succession with Father Tom Reese of the Woodstock Theological Center at Georgetown University and David Gibson of Religion News Service.