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SOUTH BEND – Many questions are surrounding the pope's sudden resignation.

It's something that hasn't happened in our lifetime.

So what will a new pope mean for the Catholic Church?  

Our experts said once a new pope is elected, they don't think we'll see any radical shifts in terms of style, leadership and what the church is all about.

The last time a pope resigned was 1415.

"I didn't see this coming; I don't think most people did," said Monsignor Michael Heintz with St. Matthew Cathedral in South Bend.

But some say if you read between the lines, Pope Benedict hinted at his resignation a few years ago.

"It’s not completely a surprise if you dig down in the surface," said Joseph Incandela, Religious Studies Professor at Saint Mary's College.

Incandela says in Benedict's book "Light of the World' written in 2010, Benedict said if a pope is in a health crisis, for the good of the church, the pope should resign.

And that mirrors his statement on Monday.

So what happens now? Experts say it's hard to tell.

"We're in really new ground,” Professor Incandela said. "It’s a hard call. No one knows. No one who's alive knows."

Critics speculate that scandals overshadowed the pope's tenure, pointing to the sexual abuse and Vatican leak scandal.

But did those play any factor in the pope's decision to resign?

"I’d be really surprised, really surprised. Popes have thick skin about things like that," Incandela said.

Professor Incandela said with the scandals at hand, there was an “administrative clumsiness” in Benedict's term. Something other Cardinals won't want repeated as they're thinking about who will be the next Pope. 

“I would think the Cardinals would be very concerned that the next pope is a very capable, accomplished administrator," Incandela said. "Benedict for all his other qualities never seemed comfortable or able to do that."

Monsignor Heintz says a pope's resignation in modern times is shocking. But it’s not fair to place any blame on Benedict for the scandals.

"To have to bare that burden for the church, sure that’s difficult,” Heintz said. “But I don't think that’s the reason for his decision."

Heintz says we could see more and more popes resigning as time goes on if a pope's health is at stake.

Pope Benedict says he will go to a papal summer retreat after his resignation. Then, he'll move to a monastery where he will dedicate the remainder of his life to prayer.