Papal resignation

News briefs

From Light of the World, Benedict XVI’s 2010 interview with Peter Seewald

Q: Have you thought of resigning?

A: When the danger is great one must not run away. For that reason, now [2010] is certainly not the time to resign. Precisely at a time like this one must stand fast and endure the difficult situation. That is my view. One can resign at a peaceful moment or when one simply cannot go on. But one must not run away from the danger and say that someone else should do it.

Q: Is it possible then to imagine a situation in which you consider a resignation by the Pope appropriate?

A: Yes. If a Pope clearly recognizes that he is no longer physically, psychologically, and spiritually capable of handling the duties of his office, then he has the right and, under some circumstances, also an obligation to resign.

Fr Federico Lombardi, SJ. "Pope Emeritus 101."

Pope Benedict XVI has given his resignation freely, in accordance with Canon 332 §2 of the Code of Canon Law.

Pope Benedict XVI will not take part in the Conclave for the election of his successor.

Pope Benedict XVI will move to the Papal residence in Castel Gandolfo when his resignation shall become effective.

When renovation work on the monastery of cloistered nuns inside the Vatican is complete, the Holy Father will move there for a period of prayer and reflection.

Bishop Thomas Paprocki of Springfield, Ill., a canon lawyer.

At 8:00 PM Rome time on February 28, 2013, Pope Benedict XVI will have a new identity to which we will have to become accustomed: His Holiness, Joseph Ratzinger, Pope Benedict XVI, former Roman/Supreme Pontiff, Bishop Emeritus of Rome.

History

230–235	St. Pontian	Eighteenth pope. Resigned when exiled to Sardinia.
296–304 (?)	Marcellinus	May have apostacized under persecution. Venerated as a martyr in later centuries. No clear record of a resignation or deposition.
352–366	Liberius	No direct record of a resignation. Indirect arguments offered. Felix II was elected bishop of ROme while Liberius was in exile due to Arian persecutions. However, Liberius returned to Rome, unseated Felix, and acted with vigor to undo concessions to the Arains that he (Liberius) had made while in exile.
1009	John XVIII	Recorded as having died as a monk at St. Paul's-outside-the-walls. This suggests either that he resigned or that he was forced out of office. There seem to be no direct accounts to clarify the matter.
1045	Benedict IX	Dissolute. Made pope three times. Sold the papacy to his godfather.
1046	Gregory VI	Bribed Benedict IX to leave papacy. Persuaded to resign by a synod because of the suspicion of simony involved in bribing his godson to resign the papacy.
1294	St. Celestine V	Monk, hermit, founder of the Celestines. Resigned after five months. Imprisoned by his successor; died ten months later.
1406–1415	Gregory XII	Forced to resign by the Council of Constance, which also set aside all other claimants to the papacy, preparing the way for the election of Pope Martin V and ending the "Western Schism" (1378-1418).
2013	Benedict XVI	Resigned of his own free will due to decline in vigor.

Canon Law

canon 332 §2 of the Code

Q & A

Has there ever been a black Pope?

African, yes. Probably not "black." Three popes from North Africa:

• St. Victor I (189-199)
• St. Melchiades (311-314)
• St. Gelasius (492-496)

Comments

"I Want My Pope Back."

Yes, the Holy Spirit protects the Church from error. However, the Holy Spirit does not protect the Church from disaster. If the last 50 years has taught us anything, it has taught us that. So yes, I worry.