In the early 15th century there were two men claiming to be the pope - Pope Gregory XII and anti pope John XXIII. A council was called and both men renounced their claims to the papal throne and a new pope elected. Gregory XII resigned on July 4, 1415 to settle the argument.
Before the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI the last pope to do so was Pope Gregory XII who resigned on July 4, 1415, - nearly 600 years ago.
Pope Benedict XVI resigned officially on February 28, 2013. The most previous pope to resign was Gregory XII who resigned on July 4, 1415.
Historical evidence for papal resignations is limited, especially if one eliminates resignations that may have been forced.Clement I (92?-101): Epiphanius asserted that Clement gave up the pontificate to Linus for the sake of peace and became pope again after the death of Cletus.Pontian (230-235): Allegedly resigned after being exiled to the mines of Sardinia during persecution of Maximinus Thrax.Cyriacus: A fictional character created in the Middle Ages who supposedly received a heavenly command to resign.Marcellinus (296-304): Abdicated or was deposed after complying with Diocletian's order to offer sacrifice to pagan gods.Martin I (649-655): Exiled by Emperor Constans II to Crimea. Before he died, clergy of Rome elected a successor whom he appears to have approved.Benedict V (964): After one month in office, he accepted deposition by Emperor Otto I.Benedict IX (1032-45): Benedict resigned after selling the papacy to his godfather Gregory VI.Gregory VI (1045-46): Deposed for simony by Henry III.Celestine V (1294): A hermit, elected at age of 80 and overwhelmed by the office, resigned. He was imprisoned by his successor.Gregory XII (1406-15): Resigned at request of Council of Constance to help end the Great Western Schism.Pope Benedict XVI (2005-2013)
2711 years ago.
600 years ago
no more like thousands of years ago
600 years ago
About 500 to 600 years ago
it was 1414 years ago
Iain Duncan Smith
iain duncan smith
Records of the earliest centuries of the Church are virtually non existent so in many cases it is impossible to determine if a pope resigned. Some sources say there have been 4 popes who have been documented as resigning. Other sources say there have been 10 resignation. For a list of papal resignation and possible resignations click here.