The resignation of Pope Benedict XVI took effect on 28 February 2013 at 20:00 Roman-Vatican Time, following Benedict XVI's announcement of the same on 11 February. It made him the first pope to relinq
Pope Benedict XVI in 2011
Benedict XVI in the popemobile at final Wednesday General Audience in St. Peter's Square on 27 February 2013
Pope Benedict XVI, Berlin – 2011 cropped
In the Catholic Church, a bishop is an ordained minister who holds the fullness of the sacrament of holy orders and is responsible for teaching doctrine, governing Catholics in his jurisdiction, sanct
Resignation of Pope Benedict XVI
…March 2013 elected cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Argentina, who took the name of Francis. Benedict chose to be known as "Pope emeritus" upon his resignation, and he retained this title until his death in December 2022. On the morning of 11 February 2013—the World Day of the Sick, a…
Latin Church Catholic bishop Gerhard Ludwig Müller wearing the pontifical vestments and carrying a crosier
An Eastern Catholic bishop of the Syro-Malabar Church holding the Mar Thoma Cross which symbolizes the heritage and identity of the Syrian Church of Saint Thomas Christians of India
Johann Otto von Gemmingen, Prince-Bishop of Augsburg in Bavaria, 1591–1598, carrying a crosier and wearing a mitre and pluviale
Some of the insignia of a bishop's office (clockwise from right): crosier, pectoral cross, and episcopal ring.