Pope Benedict wrote in his book “Light of the World: The Pope, the Church, and the Sign of Times” that he would not hesitate to resign from his position should he ever feel he is no longer capable – physically, psychologically or spiritually – to lead the church. If he would ever do so he would be the first pope to step down in over seven centuries.
The 83-year old pontiff thus brought to the public eye the possibility of an incident that would provoke a doctrinal nightmare for the Catholic Church.
The Pope’s book keeps making it into the headlines. The main reason is the opening it contains on the use of condoms in order to stop the spreading of AIDS. The pontiff also wrote his personal reflections on his own life and health. Pope Benedict feels that a pope unable to perform his duties has the right, and in some circumstance bears the obligation, to resign.
When earlier this year the Vatican was pulled into sexual abuse scandals some voices demanded Pope Benedict’s resignation. He declined to heed those calls, as he is not one to run away in hard times, he said in his book. He added that a resignation can happen only when one cannot continue his duty or at peaceful times.
The last head of the Catholic Church to resign was Celestine V, who willingly stepped down in 1294, after just five months of papacy. Another abdication was less by the pope’s will and more forced by circumstances. In 1415, Pope Gregory XII stepped down in order to end a conflict with another candidate for the supreme position in the Church.
According to church laws, a pope can step down but only if the resignation is of the pontiff’s free choice, and it is not subject to anyone’s approval. However, this law has never been used.
