Pope Resignation

The Latest

John Paul Uebbing's big moment.

Pope Benedict’s kiss goodbye

Jan 8, 2023

By CNA Staff

The infant son of a former Catholic News Agency editor received a farewell kiss on his forehead from Pope Benedict... Read more

Pope Francis on July 12, 2022, said the knee pain he experienced for several months “scared me, in the sense of ‘think a little about what your future is going to be like now.’”

Pope Francis rules out living in the Vatican or Argentina if he resigns

Jul 12, 2022

By CNA Staff

In an interview with Univisión and Televisa broadcast July 12, the pope said that “for the moment,” he hasn’t considered... Read more

Archbishop Georg Gänswein, pictured March 27, 2019.

Here's what you need to know about Archbishop Gänswein, Benedict XVI's personal secretary

Feb 14, 2022

By Jonah McKeown

Archbishop Georg Gänswein is a familiar face because of his many years of service beside now-Pope Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI,... Read more

Pope Francis celebrates Mass at Santa Marta.

Pope Francis: Holy Spirit tells bishops and popes when to step down

May 15, 2018

At the end of his morning homily Tuesday, Pope Francis asked Catholics to pray for priests, bishops, and the pope,... Read more

More than 100 students send a message to Pope Benedict as he flew overhead in a helicoptor to Castel Gandolfo.

College students in Rome send farewell message to Benedict

Mar 1, 2013

By Michelle La Rosa

Students at the University of Dallas who are spending this semester in Rome had a special opportunity to show their... Read more

Pope Benedict XVI.

Beauty in liturgy the 'great legacy' of Benedict XVI

Mar 1, 2013

By Carl Bunderson

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI will be remembered in Church history for his work to recover the beauty of traditional liturgy,... Read more

Doors of Castel Gandolfo closed.

Swiss Guards seal gates, leave service of Pope Emeritus

Feb 28, 2013

With the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI on Thursday evening, the Swiss Guards have left their posts and sealed the... Read more

Pope Benedict says goodbye to the thousands of people who came to Castel Gandolfo to show their support.

Pope's last words: Thank you for your friendship and love

Feb 28, 2013

After the 15-minute helicopter trip to Castel Gandolfo, Pope Benedict XVI offered a word of thanks to the thousands of... Read more

Faithful in St. Peter's Square bid farewell to Pope Benedict XVI.

Pope leaves Vatican for Castel Gandolfo

Feb 28, 2013

Pope Benedict XVI has left the Vatican by helicopter and will soon arrive in the town of Castel Gandolfo where... Read more

Pope Benedict XVI participates in a farewell audience with cardinals on Feb. 28, 2013 in the Clementine Hall.

Benedict XVI pledges respect, obedience to future Pope

Feb 28, 2013

Pope Benedict XVI surprised the cardinals and organizers of a Feb. 28 farewell ceremony by saying the future Pope is... Read more

CNA

Vatican Post Office issues stamp for Pope's resignation

Feb 28, 2013

The Vatican’s post office is issuing a special cancelation stamp to mark the end of Pope Benedict XVI’s papacy.  Read more

Cardinal Angelo Sodano greets Pope Benedict XVI in the Clementine Hall on Feb. 28, 2013.

Cardinals bid Pope farewell with hearts full of thanks

Feb 28, 2013

Echoing the disciples on the Road to Emmaus, Cardinal Angelo Sodano told Pope Benedict that the cardinals’ hearts “burned when... Read more

Cardinal Donald Wuerl at the North American College in Rome on Feb. 26, 2013.

Cardinal Wuerl describes spiritual experience of conclave

Feb 27, 2013

A conclave is similar to going on a rigorous spiritual retreat that is pervaded by silence, according to Cardinal Donald... Read more

Cardinal Francisco Javier Errázuriz Ossa.

Cardinal says next Pope likely to be young

Feb 27, 2013

A cardinal from Chile who will be participating in the general meetings leading up to the conclave said that the... Read more

Archbishop Rino Fisichella discusses Pope Benedict's last audience on Feb. 27, 2013.

Pope's final audience was bittersweet for cardinals

Feb 27, 2013

The cardinals and bishops who attended Pope Benedict XVI’s last big public appearance made sure to show him their love... Read more

Pope Benedict XVI responds to the crowd at his final general audience on Feb. 27, 2013.

Pope confident God will guide Church in days ahead

Feb 27, 2013

Pope Benedict XVI told the 150,000 people who came to his final general audience that he is filled with trust... Read more

Father Michael P. Gallagher discusses Pope Benedict's decision in a Feb. 25 interview with CNA.

Vatileaks not at center of Pope's decision, priest states

Feb 26, 2013

An Irish theologian who is familiar with the life and thought of Pope Benedict XVI says his decision to resign... Read more

Pope Benedict XVI gives the final blessing at the Nov. 14, 2012 general audience.

Pope Benedict chooses his new wardrobe

Feb 26, 2013

Pope Benedict has decided what he will wear once he is no longer Pope – a simple white cassock, and... Read more

Father Federico Lombardi speaks to the media at the Vatican press office.

Pope Benedict's new name revealed

Feb 26, 2013

The Holy See press office revealed today that Pope Benedict XVI will retain his papal name but will be called... Read more

Archbishop Pier Luigi Celata answers questions from the media about the motu proprio on Feb. 25, 2013.

Pope Benedict allows earlier conclave, extends secrecy oath

Feb 25, 2013

Pope Benedict XVI has changed Church law allowing cardinals to vote earlier for the new Pope, provided that they are... Read more

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St. Januarius and the miracle of the liquefaction of his blood contained in a relic.

Following prolonged wait, the blood of St. Januarius liquefies again

U.S. Supreme Court.

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Father Roger Landry.

Pope Francis names Father Roger Landry a Monsignor

The oldest known stone tablet inscribed with the Ten Commandments, dating from 300 to 800 A.D. was sold at Sotheby's auction house on Dec. 18, 2024, in New York City. Expected to sell for $1-2 million, it went for $5.04 million. Inscribed with the commandments in Paleo-Hebrew script, the tablet was discovered during railroad excavations along the southern coast of Israel in 1913.

Ten Commandments tablet surpasses estimates at Sotheby’s despite authenticity questions

Pope Francis speaks to pilgrims gathered in the Paul VI Audience Hall for his general audience on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024, at the Vatican.

Pope Francis prays for Cyclone Chido victims in France’s poorest overseas territory    

Blessed Martyrs of Compiègne were guillotined for their faith on July 17, 1794.

Pope Francis declares French Martyrs of Compiègne saints via equipollent canonization

Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, the Vatican’s current doctrinal chief and principal drafter of ‘Fiducia Supplicans,’ is shown during the Synod on Synodality at the Vatican, Oct. 9, 2023.

One year later, Vatican document on same-sex blessings not causing much of a stir

Pope Francis speaks with young men during a general audience.

Pope Francis calls on young people to protect their authenticity and dignity at work

St. Nicholas, by Jaroslav Čermák (1831-1878).

Santa’s tomb? Coffin of St. Nicholas may have been found — but there’s a catch

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