Resignation of Pope Benedict XVI

The resignation of Pope Benedict XVI occurred on 28 February 2013 at 20:00 CET, after having been announced on the morning of 11 February 2013 directly by himself.[1][2][3] Benedict XVI's decision to step down[4] as leader of the Catholic Church made him the first pope to relinquish the office since Gregory XII in 1415[5] (who did so in order to end the Western Schism) and the first to do so on his own initiative since Celestine V in 1294.[6]

Pope Benedict XVI in 2007

The move was unexpected,[7] given that popes in the modern era have held the position from election until death.[7] The Pope stated that the reason for his decision was his declining health due to old age.[8] The conclave to select his successor began on 12 March 2013[9] and elected Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Argentina, who took the name of Francis.

Announcement

Benedict announced in February 2013 that, due to his advanced age, he would step down.[10][11] At the age of 85 years and 318 days on the effective date of his retirement, he was the fourth-oldest person to hold the office of pope.

He announced his intention to resign in Latin at the Apostolic Palace in the Sala del Concistoro, at an early morning gathering on 11 February 2013, which was the World Day of the Sick, a Vatican holy day. The gathering was to announce the date of the canonisation of 800 Catholic martyrs,[12] Antonio Primaldo and companions, as well as the Latin American nuns Laura Montoya Upegui and Maria Guadalupe Garcia Zavala.[13][14] At the ceremony, known as the "Consistory for the canonization of the martyrs of Otranto", he told those present he had made "a decision of great importance for the life of the church".[2][15] In a statement, Benedict cited his deteriorating strength due to old age and the physical and mental demands of the papacy.[8] He also declared that he would continue to serve the church "through a life dedicated to prayer".[8]

Two days after the announcement, Benedict presided over his final public Mass, Ash Wednesday services that ended with congregants bursting into a "deafening standing ovation that lasted for minutes"[16] while the pontiff departed St. Peter's Basilica.[17] On 17 February 2013, Pope Benedict, speaking in Spanish, requested prayers from the crowd in front of St. Peter's Square for himself and the new pope.[18]

Post-papacy

According to Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi, Pope Benedict XVI would not have the title of cardinal upon his retirement and would not be eligible to hold any office in the Roman Curia.[19] On 26 February 2013, Father Lombardi stated that the Pope's style and title after resignation are His Holiness Benedict XVI, Roman Pontiff Emeritus, or Pope Emeritus.[20] In later years, Benedict expressed his desire to be known simply as "Father Benedict" in conversation.[21]

He continues to wear his distinctive white cassock without the mozzetta and without the red papal shoes, opting to wear a pair of brown shoes that he received during a state visit to Mexico. Cardinal Camerlengo Tarcisio Bertone destroyed the Ring of the Fisherman and the lead seal of Benedict's pontificate.[20]

Benedict took up residence in the Papal Palace of Castel Gandolfo immediately following his resignation. The Swiss Guard serves as the personal body guard to the pope, so their service at Castel Gandolfo ended with Benedict's resignation.[20] The Vatican Gendarmerie ordinarily provides the security of the Papal summer residence, and they became solely responsible for the personal security of the former Pope.[20] Benedict moved permanently to Vatican City's Mater Ecclesiae on 2 May 2013, a monastery previously used by nuns for stays of up to several years at a time.[22] According to anonymous Vatican officials, Benedict's continued presence in the Vatican City will assist with the provision of security, prevent his retirement location from becoming a place of pilgrimage, and provide him with legal protection from potential lawsuits.[23]

Reactions

State
  • Australia – Prime Minister Julia Gillard released a statement saying that "Australia's Catholics and their many friends received remarkable news overnight that Pope Benedict XVI will resign in coming weeks. ...The Pope's announcement marks a genuinely historic moment, which many Australian Catholics will greet with great emotion. ...On his election, Joseph Ratzinger said he wished to be 'a simple humble worker in the vineyard of the Lord' and in his resignation that humility has been amply demonstrated."[24]
  • Brazil – President Dilma Rousseff said she respected the decision of Pope Benedict XVI and highlighted the completion of the World Youth Day in July in Rio de Janeiro, as well as a visit he made to Brazil in 2007.[25]
  • Canada – Prime Minister Stephen Harper released a statement saying that Benedict "will always have a special place in the hearts of Canadians. Laureen and I join all Canadians in wishing Pope Benedict well in the future."[26]
  • France – President François Hollande said Benedict XVI merits "respect" but did not comment on the matter specifically as it is internal to the Roman Catholic Church.[27]
  • Germany – Chancellor Angela Merkel praised him as "one of the most significant religious thinkers of our time", mentioned his efforts in intercultural dialogue and said about his influence on her: "The pope's words will accompany me for a long time to come."[28] The government's press secretary, Steffen Seibert, said that he was "moved and touched," while "the German government has the highest respect for the Holy Father, for what he has done, for his contributions over the course of his life to the Catholic Church. ...He has left a very personal signature as a thinker at the head of the Church, and also as a shepherd."[29]
  • Ireland – President Michael D. Higgins also extended his best wishes towards the resigning Pope. Taoiseach Enda Kenny praised Pope Benedict XVI's "strong leadership" and "great service to the Church" both in Ireland and throughout the world after the pontiff's resignation.[30]
  • Italy – Prime Minister Mario Monti said he was "greatly shaken by this unexpected news".[31][32][33][34][35]
  • Philippines – President Benigno Aquino III was "filled with great regret as news comes of Pope Benedict XVI announcing he intends to relinquish the Petrine Ministry on February 28 of this year." He also recalled the "fond gratitude, the many prayers and comforting words Pope Benedict XVI has dedicated to Filipinos in times of calamity and challenge, and his words of encouragement and witness in the many Catholic events that have brought Catholics together, such as the recent canonization of San Pedro Calungsod."[36]
  • United Kingdom – Prime Minister David Cameron praised Benedict XVI, saying: "I send my best wishes to Pope Benedict following his announcement today. He has worked tirelessly to strengthen Britain's relations with the Holy See. His visit to Britain in 2010 is remembered with great respect and affection." He added that "He will be missed as a spiritual leader to millions."[37]
    • Scotland – First Minister Alex Salmond said that the world "should respect the decision of His Holiness to pass on his ministry in a selfless gesture, on health grounds, in the best interests of the Church" and reminisced "like many Scots, I remember with great fondness the resounding success of Pope Benedict's visit to Scotland in 2010 and the papal Mass celebrated at Bellahouston Park. I wish him a very peaceful retirement."[38]
  • United States – President Barack Obama praised Benedict XVI, saying: "On behalf of Americans everywhere, Michelle and I wish to extend our appreciation and prayers to His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI. Michelle and I warmly remember our meeting with the Holy Father in 2009, and I have appreciated our work together over these last four years."[39] He added that he wished "the best to those who will soon gather to choose His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI's successor."[40]

Religious

Catholic

Cardinal Walter Brandmüller revealed that he initially thought the news of the renunciation was a "carnival joke", according to an interview he gave with the Germany daily newspaper, Bild.[41]

Metropolitan Archbishop of Lagos, Archbishop Alfred Adewale Martins said of the resignation:[42]

We do not have this sort of event happening everyday. But at the same time, we know that the Code of Canon Law promulgated in 1983 makes provision for the resignation of the Pope, if he becomes incapacitated or, as with Benedict XVI, if he believes he is no longer able to effectively carry out his official functions as head of the Roman Catholic Church due to a decline in his physical ability. This is not the first time that a Pope would resign. In fact, we have had not less than three who resigned, including Pope Celestine V in 1294 and Pope Gregory XII in 1415. Pope Benedict XVI was not forced into taking that decision. Like he said in his own words, he acted with "full freedom", being conscious of the deep spiritual implication of his action. ...By his decision, the Holy Father has acted gallantly and as such we must commend and respect his decision.

Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan, the archbishop of New York, said that Benedict "brought a listening heart to victims of sexual abuse".[39][40]

George W. Rutler, pastor of St. Michael's church in New York City,[43] having the Regensburg lecture in mind, refers to Mark 6:4 and Jeremiah:[44] "If a prophet is not without honor save in his own country, a great prophet is not without honor save in the whole world. ...Of one thing we may be certain: like the bold prophet Jeremiah, the benign prophet Benedict will never say in this world or from the next, 'I told you so.' Reality has said that already by events more than words."

Jewish

A spokesman for Yona Metzger, the Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Israel, stated: "During his period there were the best relations ever between the church and the chief rabbinate and we hope that this trend will continue. I think he deserves a lot of credit for advancing inter-religious links the world over between Judaism, Christianity and Islam." The spokesman also said that Metzger wished Benedict XVI "good health and long days."[45]

Buddhist

Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama and spiritual head of the Gelug sect of Tibetan Buddhism expressed sadness over his resignation, while noting "his decision must be realistic, for the greater benefit to concern the people."[46]

Other authors

Ross Douthat, The New York Times columnist, expressed his view that "nothing in his papacy became him like the leaving of it: His stunning 2013 resignation was the kind of revolutionary gesture that the church so badly needed,"[47] whereas on Catholic Family News Roberto de Mattei concludes: "the resignation of Benedict XVI, which for Socci was the choice of a mission, is for me the symbol of the surrender of the Church to the world."[48]

Final week
Benedict XVI in the popemobile at final Wednesday General Audience in St. Peter's Square on 27 February 2013

Benedict XVI delivered his final Angelus on Sunday, 24 February. He told the gathered crowd, who carried flags and thanked the pope, "Thank you for your affection. [I will take up a life of prayer and meditation] to be able to continue serving the church."[49] The pope appeared for the last time in public during his regular Wednesday audience on 27 February 2013.[50][51] By 16 February, 35,000 people had already registered to attend the audience.[52] On the evening of 27 February there was a candlelight vigil to show support for Pope Benedict XVI at St. Peter's Square.[53] On his final day as pope, Benedict held an audience with the college of Cardinals, and at 16:15 (4:15 pm) local time he boarded a helicopter and flew to Castel Gandolfo. There he waited out the final hours of his papacy.[54] At about 17:30 (5:30 pm), he addressed the masses from the balcony for the last time as Pope.[55]

See also

References
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