Grace Thompson
Papal renunciation, or abdication, is when the pope of the Catholic Church resigns from their position. While it is uncommon, there have been several popes who have resigned throughout history. The most recent pope to resign was Benedict XVI in 2013, and before him, Pope Gregory XII resigned in 1415.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Catholic Popes that have resigned | 6 |
| First Pope to resign | St. Pontian |
| Year of first resignation | 235 |
| Last Pope to resign | Benedict XVI |
| Year of last resignation | 2013 |
| Previous Pope to resign before Benedict XVI | Gregory XII |
| Year of Gregory XII's resignation | 1415 |
| Reason for Benedict XVI's resignation | Advanced age and deteriorating strength |
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What You'll Learn
Pope Benedict XVI's resignation
Benedict's resignation came as a surprise to many, rocking his image as an ultra-traditionalist. He was known for being more reserved, and the demands of the papacy may have been too much for him. The decision was made 'in full freedom', as required by canon law, and he chose to be known as "Pope emeritus" upon his resignation. He retained this title until his death in December 2022.
Benedict's resignation was not without precedent. Before the 21st century, five popes unambiguously resigned, all between the 10th and 15th centuries. There are also disputed claims of four popes having resigned from the 3rd to the 11th centuries. One notable example of papal renunciation is that of Celestine V, who resigned in 1294 after being elected at the age of 84.
In the case of Benedict XVI, his resignation was announced on 11 February 2013, and he presided over his final public mass two days later. On 17 February, he requested prayers for himself and the new pope, and he delivered his final Angelus on 24 February. The conclave to select his successor began on 12 March, and Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected, taking the name of Francis.
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Pope Gregory XII's resignation
Pope Gregory XII, born Angelo Corraro, Corario, or Correr, was head of the Catholic Church from 30 November 1406 until his resignation on 4 July 1415. He was the last pope to resign before Pope Benedict XVI did so in 2013, almost 600 years later.
Gregory XII's resignation was a significant event in the history of the Catholic Church, primarily because it was motivated by the desire to end the Western Schism, a period of division in the Church that saw multiple claimants to the papacy simultaneously. The Western Schism began in 1378 and resulted from political and theological disputes that led to the election of rival popes. By the time of Gregory XII’s papacy, there were two individuals claiming to be the true pope: Gregory XII in Rome and Benedict XIII in Avignon. This division caused significant strife and confusion within the Church and among its followers.
Gregory XII’s resignation was part of a negotiated agreement to resolve the schism. The plan, known as the Council of Constance (1414-1418), was to persuade all claimants to the papacy to step down or be deposed, thereby allowing a new pope to be elected and ending the division within the Church. The council voted to depose the Avignon pope and the “third” pope, but it allowed Gregory XII, the Roman pope, the grace of a dignified renunciation. True to his word, Gregory XII resigned, and the remaining antipope, Benedict XIII, was deposed for refusing to step down.
Gregory XII's resignation paved the way for the election of Pope Martin V in 1417, effectively ending the Western Schism and restoring unity to the Catholic Church.
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Pope Celestine V's resignation
Pope Celestine V, born Pietro Angelerio, was elected pope on 5 July 1294 and consecrated on 29 August 1294. He was a Benedictine monk who enjoyed the life of a hermit and was renowned for his spirituality. Celestine was elected at the age of 84 to break a deadlocked College of Cardinals, which had failed to elect a pope for over two years.
He was reluctant to accept his election and soon realised he was unfit and unwilling to continue serving as pope. Celestine's papacy was brief and fraught with challenges, and he lacked authority and personal compatibility with papal duties. He appointed the King of Naples' favourites to Church offices, sometimes several to the same office. He also renewed a decree of Pope Gregory X that established stringent rules for papal conclaves.
After ruling the Catholic Church for five months, Celestine resigned on 13 December 1294, stating his desire to return to his humble, pre-papal life. He was the first pope to formalize the resignation process and is often said to have been the first to resign, although he was preceded by St. Pontian in 235, John XVIII in 1009, Benedict IX in 1045, and Gregory VI in 1046. Celestine's successor, Pope Boniface VIII, drafted the papal constitution authorizing a pope's resignation and was elected immediately after Celestine's resignation.
Various parties opposed Celestine's resignation, and Boniface had reason to worry that one of them might install Celestine as an antipope. To prevent this, he ordered Pietro to accompany him to Rome, but Pietro escaped and attempted to return to Sulmona to resume monastic life. However, he was captured and imprisoned in the castle of Fumone near Ferentino, where he died after 10 months at about 81 years of age. Celestine was canonized on 5 May 1313 by Pope Clement V, and his life remains a testament to humility and devotion.
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Pope Benedict IX's resignation
Pope Benedict IX, born Theophylactus of Tusculum in Rome, was the bishop of Rome and ruler of the Papal States for three periods between October 1032 and July 1048. He was the first pope to ever be accused of selling the papacy. Benedict IX's father, Alberic, obtained the papal chair for him by bribing the Romans. Benedict was about twenty years old when he was elected pontiff, making him the youngest Pope in the history of the Catholic Church.
Benedict IX's reign was allegedly "scandalous", and factional strife continued. Bishop Benno of Piacenza accused Benedict of "many vile adulteries and murders". He was also accused by Peter Damian in his Liber Gomorrhianus of routine sodomy and bestiality and sponsoring orgies. In September 1044, opposition to Benedict IX's dissolute lifestyle forced him out of the city, and Sylvester III was elected to replace him. Benedict IX's forces returned in April 1045 and expelled his rival, allowing Benedict to resume the papacy. Doubting his ability to maintain his position and wishing to marry his cousin, Benedict decided to resign in May 1045. He consulted his godfather, John Gratian, about the possibility of resigning, and offered to give up the papacy to him if he would reimburse him for his election expenses. John Gratian paid him the money and was recognized as Pope Gregory VI.
Benedict IX soon regretted his resignation and returned to Rome, taking the city and remaining on the throne until July 1046, although Gregory VI continued to be recognized as the true pope. At the time, Sylvester III also reasserted his claim. A number of influential clergy and laity appealed to Emperor Henry III to restore order. Henry intervened, and at the Council of Sutri in December 1046, Benedict IX and Sylvester III were declared deposed while Gregory VI was encouraged to resign because the arrangement he had entered into with Benedict was considered simoniacal.
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Pope Pontian's resignation
Pope Pontian, or Pontianus, was the first pope in history to abdicate. He was elected as the successor of St. Peter on July 21, 230. During the persecution waged by Emperor Maximinus Thrax, St. Pontian was exiled to Sardinia and condemned to work in the salt mines, which meant certain death. Pontian's resignation is particularly noteworthy given the context of the third century, a period marked by intense persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire.
Overall, Pope Pontian's resignation was a significant event in the history of the Catholic Church, marking the first time a pope had stepped down voluntarily and ending a long-standing schism.
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Frequently asked questions
In total, eight popes have resigned.
The eight popes who resigned were St. Pontian, Benedict IX, Celestine V, Gregory XII, Benedict XVI, Marcellinus, Silverius, and John XIX.
Most popes resigned due to old age, illness, or because they felt they were no longer able to adequately perform their duties. For example, Pope Benedict XVI resigned at the age of 85 due to declining health. St. Pontian resigned so that a new pope could be elected. Benedict IX resigned to receive money and other favors.
The last pope to resign was Benedict XVI, who vacated the Holy See on February 28, 2013.
The first pope to resign was St. Pontian, who resigned in 235 AD.
