Pope Emeritus Benedict told an Italian newspaper on Monday that some of his most “fanatical” followers refused to accept his resignation, while claiming that they had fallen for “conspiracy theories.”
News Wires reported that the former pope told Corriere della Sera in an interview that his resignation was a “conscious choice” that his successors must accept.
“It was a difficult decision. But it was a fully conscious choice and I think I did well, “he told the newspaper, adding:” Some of my most fanatical friends are still upset, they did not accept my choice. “
“They do not want to believe in a choice made knowingly,” Benedict continued. “But my conscience is clear.”
Benedict then reaffirmed his call for all Catholics to accept Pope Francis
Pope Francis Ex-Pope targets “fanatical friends” who did not accept the resignation Experts advise against the pope’s trip to Iraq amid a pandemic Italy commemorates one year since its first known case as the rightful and current pope, hitting the armrest of the chair and declaring, “There is only one pope,” according to Reuters.
Benedict was elected pope by the College of Cardinals in 2005 and served until his resignation in 2013. He then took the title of pope emeritus, an unusual move because popes usually serve for life, rather than resign.
He has made occasional public appearances since his resignation in 2013, but has largely remained in the shadow of Francis, now the public face of the Catholic Church.