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When the pope is sick, Italians always gossip about who comes next — even before 'Conclave'
But he’s on track to equal or surpass Pope Gregory XII, perhaps best known for being the most recent pope to resign until Pope Benedict XVI did so in 2013. Gregory was 88 when he stepped down in ...
Daily Record1mon
Why did Pope Benedict XVI become first pontiff in 600 years to resign?
Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation in 2013 marked a historic moment for the Catholic Church, making him the first pontiff in nearly 600 years to step down (the last was Gregory XII in 1415).
MercoPress24d
Cardinals’ conclave to elect new pope begins; a first non-European in the cards
Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who became Pope Benedict XVI, was elected after two days ... of European popes dating to the death of Syrian Gregory III in 741. Africa, where baptized Catholics more ...