Speaking in latin, told the attendees that he had made 'a decision of great importance for the life of the church'. He cited his deteriorating strength due to old age and the physical and mental demands of the papacy. He also declared that he would continue to serve the church 'through a life dedicated to prayer.

Speaking in latin, told the attendees that he had made 'a decision of great importance for the life of the church'. He cited his deteriorating strength due to old age and the physical and mental demands of the papacy. He also declared that he would continue to serve the church 'through a life dedicated to prayer.

Rome — pope francis has revealed in an interview published sunday that shortly after being elected in 2013 he wrote a resignation letter in case medical problems impede him from carrying out his duties.

Benedict's election as pope occurred in the 2005 papal conclave that followed the death of pope john paul ii. Benedict chose to be known as 'pope emeritus' upon his resignation, and he retained this title until his death in december 2022.

Pope benedict xvi (latin: benedictus xvi, italian: benedetto xvi, german: benedikt xvi, born joseph aloisius ratzinger, 16 april 1927 – 31 december 2022) was the head of the catholic church and sovereign of the vatican city state from 19 april 2005 until his resignation on 28 february 2013.

How many popes have resigned in history? In total, six popes have abdicated the position for definite. Notable examples include benedict ix, who resigned three times including selling the title, and gregory xii. Gregory was the pope during the western schism, lasting from 1378 to 1417.

Pope benedict xvi was born joseph ratzinger in 1927. He was ordained a priest in 1951, became archbishop of munich in the late '70s, led the vatican's chief doctrine and discipline office, the , starting in the early 1980s, until he became pope in 2005.

Reigning during the western schism, he was opposed by the avignon claimant benedict xiii and the pisan claimants alexander v and john xxiii. Gregory xii wanted to unify the church and voluntarily resigned in 1415 to end the schism.

Announcement. On 11 february 2013, the world day of the sick, a vatican holy day, announced his intention to resign at the apostolic palace in the sala del concistoro, at an early morning gathering held to announce the date of the canonisation of 800 catholic martyrs.

Benedict in 2013 became the first pope in 600 years to retire, and he chose to live out his retirement in seclusion in a converted monastery in the vatican gardens.

In a separate letter published by the vatican in february 2022, benedict issued a general apology to survivors of abuse, writing: “once again i can only express to all the victims of sexual abuse my profound shame, my deep sorrow and my heartfelt request for forgiveness,” but he admitted to no personal or specific.

Benedict was also accused in 2022 of mishandling four cases of priest sex abuse from 1977 to 1982 when he was the archbishop of munich in what was then west germany. Lawyers who drew up the report said benedict categorically denied any wrongdoing.

The most recent pope to resign was , who vacated the on 28 february 2013, the date of his effective resignation. He was the first pope to do so since gregory xii in 1415.

Pope francis said he was “deeply sorry” for more than a century of abuses that first nations, métis and inuit children endured in catholic-run residential schools in canada.

Pope francis said he was “deeply sorry” for more than a century of abuses that first nations, métis and inuit children endured in catholic-run residential schools in canada.

Himself was swept up in the scandal after the release of a report in january 2022 that had been commissioned by the roman catholic church in munich to investigate the archdiocese's handling of sexual abuse from 1945 to 2019.

Pope francis (latin: franciscus, italian: francesco, spanish: francisco, born jorge mario bergoglio, 17 december 1936) is the head of the catholic church, the bishop of rome and sovereign of the vatican city state.

• Request meeting with the pastor. It is best to speak face-to-face, so either ask in person or send an email about scheduling a meeting
• Disclose details about resignation
• Return all church's belongings
• Hand in formal resignation letter

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