Francesco: The Pope who Shared the Vatican with his Predecessor
For almost the entire first decade of his pontificate, Pope Francis had the unique experience of sharing the Vatican with his predecessor.
Benedict XVI’s historic resignation, the first Pope to step down in six centuries, and his decision to continue living in the Vatican, albeit in seclusion at the Mater Ecclesiae monastery, created an unprecedented situation: for the first time in two thousand years of Church history, two Popes coexisted in the Vatican.
Joseph Ratzinger, despite resigning from the papacy, chose not to be called “Bishop Emeritus of Rome,” as suggested by some canonists, opting instead for the title of “Pope Emeritus” or “Emeritus Roman Pontiff.” He continued to wear white, albeit without the cape, and retained the title of “His Holiness.”
Living alongside his successor, Pope Francis – to whom he had pledged “obedience” upon stepping down from the papacy in February 2013 – was initially harmonious, free from any interference in the Church’s governance or any statements that questioned the authority of the current Pontiff.
Retreating from the world, dedicating himself to study, meditation, and prayer, was Benedict’s declared intention. He maintained this discreet Bavarian lifestyle, interrupted only by a few public appearances and, in 2016, a couple of interviews and the book “Last Conversations” with German journalist Peter Seewald, with whom he had previously collaborated on “Light of the World.”
However, a ‘controversy’ arose when, in January 2020, Benedict XVI co-authored a book with Cardinal Robert Sarah, “From the Depths of Our Hearts,” expressing views opposing any changes to priestly celibacy.
Shortly after the Amazon Synod, where bishops voted in favor of ordaining married men to address pastoral needs in the Amazon, Pope Francis was deliberating on the issue in his post-synodal exhortation. The joint book release, although Benedict later removed his name as a co-author, seemed like an attempt to influence the current Pope’s decisions. This attempt proved successful, as in his ‘Querida Amazonia,’ Pope Francis chose to maintain the celibacy requirement.
Francis has consistently shown filial respect for his predecessor, maintaining close contact through frequent calls or visits. He often referred to Benedict as the wise grandfather in the house, acknowledging the courage and support he found in having the “wisdom,” “experience,” and vast theological knowledge of the Pope Emeritus nearby. He also credited Benedict with initiating the fight against pedophilia within the Church through his bold resignation, a “governance act” that paved the way for the concept of “Emeritus Popes.” This new figure, previously non-existent, now needed canonical recognition due to the extended lifespan of former Popes.
This harmonious coexistence was marked by numerous encounters, notably the visit to Castel Gandolfo on March 23, 2013, when Pope Francis received the ‘Vatileaks’ dossier from his predecessor, and the joint opening of the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica on December 8, 2015, for the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy. Despite their unity, the presence of both Popes fueled nostalgia among ‘Ratzingerians’ opposed to the reforms of Pope Francis.
Reproduction reserved © Copyright ANSA
