Where Is Pope Benedict XVI Now? Why Did Pope Benedict XVI Retire?
Rachel Hickman
Published Jan 01, 2026
As Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI retains the style of His Holiness and continues to dress in the prepal colour of white. He was succeeded by Francis on March 13, 2013, and he moved into a newly renovated Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican.
Pope Francis announced on Wednesday, December 28 announced that his predecessor, Pope Benedict who resigned from the post nine years ago, is very sick after a deterioration in his health.
Why Did Pope Benedict XVI Retire?
Pope Benedict announced his decision to resign from his position citing the “advanced stage”.
His announcement marked the first time a pope had stepped down in nearly 600 years. The last pope to resign before his death was Gregory XII, who in 1415 quit ending a civil war within the Catholic Church in which more than one man claimed to be pope.
