February 28 in History
2013 - Pope Benedict XVI resigns as the pope of the Catholic Church, becoming the first pope to do so since Pope Gregory XII, in 1415
The resignation of Pope Benedict XVI took effect at 20:00 CET on this day in 2013 making him the first pope to relinquish the office since Gregory XII was forced to resign in 1415 to end the Western Schism, and the first pope to voluntarily resign since Celestine V in 1294.
All other popes in the modern era have held the position from election until death. Benedict cited declining health due to old age. The conclave to select his successor began on March 12 2013 and elected cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Argentina, who took the name of Francis.
-Wikipedia
Photo Caption – Benedict XVI in the popemobile at final Wednesday General Audience in St. Peter’s Square on February 27, 2013 – Wikipedia
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