Source: CNN
Pope Benedict XVI waves in St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican in December 2012. Benedict, 85, announced on Monday, February 11, that he will resign at the end of February “because of advanced age.” The last pope to resign was Gregory XII in 1415.Rome (CNN) — With only two full days left of Pope Benedict XVI‘s papacy, more details emerged Tuesday of what the future holds both for the retiring pontiff and the cardinals who will choose his successor.
The pontiff will keep the name Benedict XVI and still be addressed as “his holiness” once he retires, Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi told reporters at the Vatican.
He will also be known as pope emeritus, emeritus pope or Roman pontifex emeritus.
The guidance clears up questions about how Benedict — the first pope to resign in almost 600 years — should be addressed as he moves into a life of seclusion and prayer after his Thursday resignation.
Categories: CHRISTIANITY, Europe, Italy, Vatican