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:
If it should happen that the Roman Pontiff resigns his office, it is required for validity that he makes the resignation freely and that it be duly manifested, but not that it be accepted by anyone.
However, the expectation when a Pope is elected that he will remain in office until his death.
So, we're all shocked at the resignation of the Pope, but what happens next?
Pope Benedict XVI has made the announcement that he will resign as the head of the Roman Catholic Church due to his "advanced age."
Who will follow in Pope Benedict's footsteps? Is it time for an African pope?