Normally popes remain in office until they die and it is rare for a pope to resign. Benedict is the first pope to have resigned without external pressure since Celestine V in 1294. He became the first pope to resign since Gregory XII did so in 1415 to settle the Western Schism.
The resignation of a Pope is highly unusual because it is a rare occurrence. Pope Benedict XVI's resignation in 2013 was the first papal resignation in nearly 600 years. The pope is traditionally regarded as serving until death, making voluntary resignations a significant and historic event in the Catholic Church.
No, Benedict XVI is no longer the reigning pope so is not considered as infallible.
Normally popes remain in office until they die and it is rare for a pope to resign. Benedict is the first pope to have resigned without external pressure since Celestine V in 1294. He became the first pope to resign since Gregory XII did so in 1415 to settle the Western Schism.
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.
The pope isn't chosen at birth so the current pope was called Joseph Alois RatzingerWhen they are chosen and elected a pope is given a new name - i.e. the current pope is Pope Benedict xvi. They don't know they will be the pope when they are born
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.
The current Pope is Benedict XVI. His birth name is Joseph Alois Ratzinger.The current Pope is Francis (the first), born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on 17 December 1936. He is is the 266th Pope of the Catholic Church, elected on 13 March 2013 after Pope Benedit XVI announced his resignation on 11 February 2013, which resignation took effect on 28 February 2013. Though of Italian descent, Frances was born in Buenos Aires (in Argentina). He was ordained to the priesthood in 1969, and served as Argentina's Provincial superior of the Society of Jesus from 1973 to 1979; so he was already, then, on a fast track to high rank in the Roman Catholic hierarchy in Argentina. He became the country's Arch Bishop in 1998; then its Cardinal in 2001. He is the first Latin-American Pope.Benedict XVI was the first Pope toresign since Pope Gregory XII in 1415, and the first to do so on his own initiative since Pope Celestine V in 1294. He now holds the title "Pope Emeritus," and lives in retirement inthe newly renovated Mater Ecclesiae monastery at the Vatican.
The current Pope is Francis (the first), born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on 17 December 1936. He is is the 266th Pope of the Catholic Church, elected on 13 March 2013 after Pope Benedit XVI announced his resignation on 11 February 2013, which resignation took effect on 28 February 2013. Though of Italian descent, Frances was born in Buenos Aires (in Argentina). He was ordained to the priesthood in 1969, and served as Argentina's Provincial superior of the Society of Jesus from 1973 to 1979; so he was already, then, on a fast track to high rank in the Roman Catholic hierarchy in Argentina. He became the country's Arch Bishop in 1998; then its Cardinal in 2001. He is the first Latin-American Pope. Benedict XVI was the first Pope to resign since Pope Gregory XII in 1415, and the first to do so on his own initiative since Pope Celestine V in 1294. He now holds the title "Pope Emeritus," and lives in retirement in the newly renovated Mater Ecclesiae monastery at the Vatican.
Answer 1: Pope Benedict XVI is the current pope (2011) and was born Joseph Alois Ratzinger.Answer 2: Benedict XVI is no longer the Pope. The above answer was made when he was still Pope.The current Pope is Francis (the first), born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on 17 December 1936. He is is the 266th Pope of the Catholic Church, elected on 13 March 2013 after Pope Benedit XVI announced his resignation on 11 February 2013, which resignation took effect on 28 February 2013. Though of Italian descent, Frances was born in Buenos Aires (in Argentina). He was ordained to the priesthood in 1969, and served as Argentina's Provincial superior of the Society of Jesus from 1973 to 1979; so he was already, then, on a fast track to high rank in the Roman Catholic hierarchy in Argentina. He became the country's Arch Bishop in 1998; then its Cardinal in 2001. He is the first Latin-American Pope.Benedict XVI was the first Pope to resign since Pope Gregory XII in 1415, and the first to do so on his own initiative since Pope Celestine V in 1294. He now holds the title "Pope Emeritus," and lives in retirement in the newly renovated Mater Ecclesiae monastery at the Vatican.
Pope Benedict XVI announced his resignation as Pope, from the Vatican today 11th February, 2013. His speech intimating his resignation, was given in Latin, he will leave office on 28th February, 2013. His announcement was greeted with shock from all corners of the world. Benedict XVI, who is 85, was appointed Pope in 2005, following the death of the then Pontiff, Pope John Paul II. BenedictXVI was 78 on his appointment and was the oldest Pontiff to be elected for 300 years. A Conclave (meeting) of College of Cardinals of the Catholic Church took place to "elect" the then Cardinal Ratzinger as the new Pontiff. Cardinal Ratzinger, then took the name of Benedict XVI. He will have held office for only eight years. A Pope, once elected does not normally resign from "office" and has not done so in living memory. Only after the death of a pontiff, does this "trigger" an election for a new Pontiff. Benedict XVI now makes history, since the last Pontiff to resign and not to die in office was Pope Gregory XII, who resigned his pontifical office in 1415 A.D. BenedictXVI indicated the reason for his resignation was on health grounds, although no immediate health concerns were cited. A "conclave" will now be called and a new Pontiff elected by the College of Cardinals of the Catholic Church, which is due to commence on the 18th March, 2013 with a new pontiff being elected by Easter, 2013.
Answer 1: Benedict XVI's birth name was Joseph Alois Ratzinger.Answer 2:Benedict XVI is no longer the Pope. The above answer was made when he was still Pope.The current Pope is Francis (the first), born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on 17 December 1936. He is is the 266th Pope of the Catholic Church, elected on 13 March 2013 after Pope Benedit XVI announced his resignation on 11 February 2013, which resignation took effect on 28 February 2013. Though of Italian descent, Frances was born in Buenos Aires (in Argentina). He was ordained to the priesthood in 1969, and served as Argentina's Provincial superior of the Society of Jesus from 1973 to 1979; so he was already, then, on a fast track to high rank in the Roman Catholic hierarchy in Argentina. He became the country's Arch Bishop in 1998; then its Cardinal in 2001. He is the first Latin-American Pope.Benedict XVI was the first Pope to resign since Pope Gregory XII in 1415, and the first to do so on his own initiative since Pope Celestine V in 1294. He now holds the title "Pope Emeritus," and lives in retirement in the newly renovated Mater Ecclesiae monastery at the Vatican.
The term "resignation" is the act of quitting a job, position, or elected office.Example : "The embattled councilman submitted his resignation to the mayor."To resign a positionThe term "resignation" is the act of quitting a job, position, or elected office.Example : "The embattled councilman submitted his resignation to the mayor."To accept a situationThe word "resignation" can also describe the acceptance of a situation or unalterable fact (in this use "resigned to the situation" means submission to the inescapable).Example: "The farmer accepted the coming floods with sad resignation."The navy officer is writing his resignation so he can go home to his family.