Pope Benedict’s Resignation During his Apostolic Visit to the Vatican and the Report of Sexual Abuse by Minors in Munich and Freising

The pope wrote a resignation letter if he were to get sick, in an interview published on Sunday.

“I signed it and said: ‘If I should become impaired for medical reasons or whatever, here is my resignation. Here you have it,’” he said, referring to Cardinal Bertone, who stepped down as secretary of state in October 2013, in the first months of Francis’ papacy.

Francis, who turned 86 on Saturday, had surgery in 2021 to repair a bowel narrowing and has been hobbled by knee pain that for months saw him use a wheelchair. He has recently used a cane to get around in public.

Asked what happens if health issues or an accident suddenly leaves a pope unable to do his job, and whether there should be a rule for such instances, Francis replied, “In practice there is already a rule.”

Now that the pontiff has acknowledged the existence of his resignation note, someone will ask to see it, he said.

Benedict startled the world when he announced his resignation to a gathered of prelates at the Vatican in February of 2013; Catholic church law required a papal resignation be “freely and properly manifest”.

When Benedict turned 95 in April, his long time secretary said the retired pope was in good spirits, even though he’s fragile and weak.

“The situation at the moment remains under control and continually monitored by his doctors,” the spokesman, Matteo Bruni, said, adding that Francis visited his predecessor at the Mater Ecclesiae monastery in Vatican City after his general audience.

Benedict wrote a letter two years ago, which was published in an Italian newspaper, that says he is on a pilgrimage toward Home.

Benedict’s legacy has been clouded by recent scrutiny of his time as Archbishop of Munich and Freising, between 1977 and 1982, after a Church-commissioned report into abuse by Catholic clergy there was published in January.

The report found that he had been informed of four cases of sexual abuse involving minors – including two during his time in Munich – but failed to act, and that he had attended a meeting about an abusive priest.

Cardinal Benedict and the new “princes of the church” during his latest episcopal ceremony in St. Peter’s Basilica (Italy)

In his first years of retirement, Benedict attended a couple of cardinal-elevating ceremonies in St. Peter’s Basilica. He was not strong enough to attend the long service in recent years.

Benedict was at the monastery four months ago. The occasion was Francis’ latest ceremony elevating churchmen to cardinal rank, and the new “princes of the church” accompanied him for the brief greeting.

The Vatican released a photo at the time that showed a very thin-looking Benedict clasping a hand of Francis as they current and past pontiff smiled at each other.