Why did the pope resign as pope?

Answer 1

He has lost the faith to support the position considered as one which God chose OR

The political element (Cardinals) have prompted him to 'retire to his letters' due to a perceived threat by them to their institution, the Church.

.

AnswerPope Celestine V resigned after a few months as he couldn't accomplish anything with the recalcitrant Curia. Pope Gregory XII resigned as there were three claimants to the Chair of St. Peter, and he was trying to end the Western Schism. Pope Benedict XVI resigned because of the multiple, overwhelming needs of the Church in the early 21st century and his advanced age, and failing health make him incapable of fulfilling the job.

Answer 2

The Holy Father, because of his advanced age, and his health, thought that he was no longer able to fulfill his ministry of successor of Peter, so he resigned to let a younger man take over.

VATICAN CITY - Pope Benedict XVI on Monday said he plans on resigning the papal office on February 28, 2013. . The following is the full text of Benedict's declaration:

　

"Dear Brothers,

I have convoked you to this Consistory, not only for the three canonizations, but also to communicate to you a decision of great importance for the life of the Church. After having repeatedly examined my conscience before God, I have come to the certainty that my strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry. I am well aware that this ministry, due to its essential spiritual nature, must be carried out not only with words and deeds, but no less with prayer and suffering. However, in today's world, subject to so many rapid changes and shaken by questions of deep relevance for the life of faith, in order to govern the bark of Saint Peter and proclaim the Gospel, both strength of mind and body are necessary, strength which in the last few months, has deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognize my incapacity to adequately fulfill the ministry entrusted to me. For this reason, and well aware of the seriousness of this act, with full freedom I declare that I renounce the ministry of Bishop of Rome, Successor of Saint Peter, entrusted to me by the Cardinals on 19 April 2005, in such a way, that as from 28 February 2013, at 20:00 hours, the See of Rome, the See of Saint Peter, will be vacant and a Conclave to elect the new Supreme Pontiff will have to be convoked by those whose competence it is.

　

Dear Brothers, I thank you most sincerely for all the love and work with which you have supported me in my ministry and I ask pardon for all my defects. And now, let us entrust the Holy Church to the care of Our Supreme Pastor, Our Lord Jesus Christ, and implore his holy Mother Mary, so that she may assist the Cardinal Fathers with her maternal solicitude, in electing a new Supreme Pontiff. With regard to myself, I wish to also devotedly serve the Holy Church of God in the future through a life dedicated to prayer."

Answer 3

He has decided that due to his age and health, that he isn't fully able to continue in his role.

Answer 4

Pope John Paul II did not resign, he died of natural causes. Popes are no longer allowed to reign once they are dead.

Answer 5

Pope Benedict 16 cited his advanced age, and related health problems, as his reason to resign. According to his statements, he believes that it is best for the Church if he resigns.