selected

Benedict XVI became the first pope in nearly 600 years to resign from the papacy.

Historical image related to Benedict XVI became the first pope in nearly 600 years to resign from the papacy. from February 28, 2013

Pope Benedict XVI

Head of the Catholic Church from 2005 to 2013

Pope Benedict XVI was head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from 2005 until his resignation in 2013. Following his resignation, he chose to be known as "pope emeritus", a title he held until his death on 31 December 2022.
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)

Resignation of Pope Benedict XVI

2013 resignation of the pope

The resignation of Pope Benedict XVI took effect on 28 February 2013 at 20:00 Roman-Vatican Time, following Benedict XVI's announcement of the same on 11 February. It made him the first pope to relinquish the office since Gregory XII was forced to resign in 1415 to end the…
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)