Pope thankful for 'prayers'
The Pope has made his first appearance at St Peter's Square window since his resignation announcement and thanked the faithful for their "prayers and support."
Fact file: Previous Pope resignations
Previous Popes to have resigned:
- Pope St. Pontian resigned as Pope on September 28, 235
- Pope Benedict IX left the position in 1045.
- Pope Celestine V in 1294.
- Pope Gregory XII was the last to resign from the role in 1415.
The Catholic Church's Code of Canon Law states, on resignation:
However, the expectation when a Pope is elected that he will remain in office until his death.
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Pope resignation: What happens next?
So, we're all shocked at the resignation of the Pope, but what happens next?
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Pope Benedict XVI announces shock resignation
Pope Benedict XVI has made the announcement that he will resign as the head of the Roman Catholic Church due to his "advanced age."
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A shock resignation and momentous days ahead
Who will follow in Pope Benedict's footsteps? Is it time for an African pope?