Pope Benedict XVI

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Lore & Background

On the morning of 11 February 2013—the World Day of the Sick—Pope Benedict XVI announced his intention to resign effective 28 February 2013. The announcement was made at the Apostolic Palace in the Sala del Concistoro at a public ordinary consistory of cardinals that was being held to announce the date of the canonisation of 800 Catholic martyrs. Speaking in Latin, Benedict told mostly surprised cardinals that he had made "a decision of great importance for the life of the church." He noted the decision was made "in full freedom" as required by canon law, citing his deteriorating strength due to old age and the physical and mental demands of the papacy. The news story was broken by journalist Giovanna Chirri, who understood Latin. Two days later, he presided over his final public mass: a service for Ash Wednesday that ended with congregants bursting into a "deafening standing ovation that lasted for minutes." On 17 February, Benedict requested prayers for himself and the new pope from the crowd in St. Peter's Square. He delivered his final Angelus on 24 February, telling the crowd, "Thank you for your affection. [I will take up a life of prayer and meditation] to be able to continue serving the church." On his final day as pope, Benedict held an audience with the college of Cardinals, and at 16:15 local time he boarded a helicopter and flew to Castel Gandolfo. At exactly 20:00 CET the see of Rome became vacant. The conclave to select his successor began on 12 March 2013 and on 13 March 2013 elected cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who took the name Francis. Benedict continued to wear his distinctive white cassock, but without the pellegrina. Instead of red papal shoes, he wore brown shoes received during a state visit to Mexico. Cardinal Camerlengo Tarcisio Bertone defaced the Ring of the Fisherman by chiseling two deep cuts in the shape of a cross. Benedict moved permanently to Vatican City's Mater Ecclesiae on 2 May 2013, a monastery previously used by nuns. He lived there until his death 9 years later on 31 December 2022, after having been ill for several days. His funeral was on 5 January 2023 in St. Peter's Square, and he was buried in a tomb next to his predecessors underneath St. Peter's Basilica.

Reader's Guide

Benedict XVI's resignation sparked various reactions. Australia's Prime Minister Julia Gillard, Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff, Canada's Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel, the United Kingdom's Prime Minister David Cameron, and United States' President Barack Obama each praised Benedict and his pontificate. Italy's Prime Minister Mario Monti and Philippines' President Benigno Aquino III expressed shock and regret. Cardinal Walter Brandmüller revealed he initially thought the news was a "carnival joke." Metropolitan Archbishop of Lagos Alfred Adewale Martins noted the Code of Canon Law makes provision for papal resignation, and that Benedict acted with "full freedom." Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan said Benedict "brought a listening heart to victims of sexual abuse by clerics."

A spokesman for Yona Metzger, the Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Israel, stated: "During his period there were the best relations ever between the [Catholic] Church and the chief rabbinate." Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, expressed sadness while noting "his decision must be realistic, for the greater benefit to concern the people."

After his resignation, conspiracy theories circulated. One accused Benedict of financial mismanagement, though none of these were cited by Benedict as reasons for his own decision. The so-called St. Gallen Mafia conspiracy—that liberal bishops conspired to force his resignation—was "widely disbelieved, debunked and disproven." An uncertain number of people believe the resignation was not valid, a position called "Benevacantism." Benedict himself publicly rejected this theory. After Benedict's death, some former adherents held to sedevacantism, while others considered Francis to be the pope.

Did You Know?

• Benedict XVI was the first pope to resign since Gregory XII quit the papacy in 1415.
• The news of his resignation was broken by journalist Giovanna Chirri, who understood Latin.
• His final public mass on Ash Wednesday ended with a 'deafening standing ovation that lasted for minutes.'
• Cardinal Camerlengo Tarcisio Bertone defaced the Ring of the Fisherman by chiseling two deep cuts in the shape of a cross.
• Benedict lived in the Mater Ecclesiae monastery for 9 years until his death on 31 December 2022.