Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Catholic News

Home

Home
Catholic
Religion News
Papal resignation is rare historical event

Papal resignation is rare historical event

Last updated on: February 11, 2013 at 5:47 pm by CNA Daily News

Papal resignation is rare historical event 2013-02-11T17:47:00+00:00 CNA Daily News

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Vatican City, Feb 11, 2013 / 10:47 am (CNA/EWTN News).- On Feb. 11, Pope Benedict made it public that he will step down from his role as head of the Catholic Church, raising a number of questions about how the process of resignation works.

Only two other Pope’s have resigned their post in the history of the Church, with the last one being Gregory VII, in 1415.

But in retrospect the idea was perhaps not so distant from the mind of Benedict XVI.

The first clear hint of such a move being on the mind of Pope Benedict came in his 2010 interview with the German journalist Peter Seewald.

That series of questions from Seewald later became the book “Light of the World.”

In that work the Pope responded to a question about whether a pontiff could resign: “Yes. If a Pope clearly realizes that he is no longer physically, psychologically, and spiritually capable of handling the duties of his office, then he has a right and, under some circumstances, also an obligation to resign.”

The first Pope to resign in the history of the Church was St. Celestine V, who was elected to office in Dec. 1294 after a conclave that lasted two years and three months.

He was known as a holy priest who dedicated himself to a life of prayer as a hermit. However as Pope his administration of the Church was poor and the Roman Curia fell into disarray.

In July 1294 he resigned from his office, becoming the first Successor of Peter to do so. After his resignation, St. Celestine returned to a life of prayer, despite being imprisoned by his successor.

The current Code of Canon Law, the regulations that govern the life of the Church, now makes it possible for a Pope to leave his office.

Canon 332, Paragraph 2 says: “Should it happen that the Roman Pontiff resigns from his office, it is to be required for validity that the resignation be freely made and properly manifested, but it is not necessary that it be accepted by anyone.”

Father Federico Lombardi told journalists at a Feb. 11 Vatican press conference that he himself was not shocked by the news, especially once he recalled the Pope’s response in “Light of the World.”

At that point, Fr. Lombardi said he knew the Pope was fully aware he had the right to resign.

Pope Benedict will officially retire on Feb. 28, 2013 at 8:00 p.m., at which point the seat of Peter will be considered vacant.

He will then travel to the papal summer retreat in Castel Gandolfo, which is about 15 miles southeast of Rome.

Once renovations are complete on Mater Ecclesia monastery inside the Vatican, the former pontiff will move there for a period of prayer and rest.

The preparations for the Conclave of Cardinals to elect a new Pope will begin as soon as Benedict XVI retires on Feb. 28.

During a conclave, all the cardinals below the age of 80 come to Rome to pray, consider and vote for who the next Pope will be, all behind closed doors.

Fr. Lombardi expects that there will be a new Pope by Easter.

Vatican

Previous Post

February 11, 2013

Pope's resignation invokes sadness, gratitude from US bishops

Next Post

February 11, 2013 Benedict XVI plans life of prayer after retirement

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Americas Asia - Pacific Europe Middle East - Africa Uncategorized US Vatican

Select a Month November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

In the Parable of the Good Samaritan, who ignored the injured man before the Samaritan helped?

Select your answer to see how you score.

A priest and a Levite A farmer and a shepherd A Roman soldier and a scribe A fisherman and a tax collector