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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Only one Pope has ever resigned (Celestine V back in 1294), and that was because he never wanted to be Pope in the first place.


7 posted on 03/27/2010 8:43:36 AM PDT by rotstan
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To: rotstan

More than one pope has, but then we get into arguments about the difference between de facto abdications and formal resignations. From my time with the Jesuits, I recall at least four or five who were in the category of relinquishing power willingly (though perhaps not always eagerly).

All I recall now is one of the 11th century Johns, Benedict the IXth and a later pope who abdicated whilst under the control of a foreign ruler rather than becoming a figurehead.


30 posted on 03/27/2010 9:05:08 AM PDT by Androcles (All your typos are belong to us)
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To: rotstan

“Only one Pope has ever resigned (Celestine V back in 1294)...

Yes. He resigned after being arrested and probably murdered. He died in prison.

(From the beginning, he didn’t want to be Pope but was forced into it.

Up until that point, he loved living like a hermit. He abhorred public life.)


72 posted on 03/27/2010 12:23:08 PM PDT by GatĂșn(CraigIsaMangoTreeLawyer)
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