The initial local reaction to Pope Benedict XVI’s announcement that he would be stepping down at the end of the month was surprise.

Sherry So of Gibsonia, who was leaving services this morning at St. Ferdinand Church in Cranberry Township, said she was “very shocked” at Pope Benedict’s announcement.

“But if he was going to resign, today was the perfect day as it is the remembrance of Our Lady of Lourdes,” she said.

The Catholic Church celebrates a Mass in honor of “Our Lady of Lourdes” in many countries on Feb. 11 of each year — the anniversary of the first apparition of the Virgin Mary in Lourdes, France.

Several parishioners who attended services this morning at St. Michael the Archangel Roman Catholic Church also were taken by surprise by the announcement.

Dan Fair of Butler said, “It’s very shocking.”

“I don’t understand something like that. I thought it was a job forever.”

Maria Stephenson of Butler also was surprised.

“We were shocked. I can totally understand. It’s because of his health. He doesn’t have the strength,” she said.

Eagle staff writers Sandy Pontius and Bob Schultz contributed to this report.