Today’s news about the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI was a real shock. Despite the fact that he has long hinted that popes should resign if they can no longer do the job, I don’t think that many people thought he would actually take that step.

I have no quote from Fr Doyle that sheds any light on this situation. But it strikes me, given his insistence that duty must come first, that Fr Doyle would understand and approve of this step.

Lots of media refer to the abdication of Pope Gregory XII in 1415 as the last time a Pope resigned. However, this resignation was part of a deal to end a schism. The last time a pope freely resigned in non-controversial circumstances such as this was Pope Celestine V in 1294. Significantly, he was later canonised.

Pope Benedict visited his relics in Aquila and left his pallium on the tomb. See images below.

May Pope St Celestine V, and all of the holy popes and other saints in Heaven pray for the Church in this time of great importance.