Vatican Investigation Underway to Determine Whether or not Benedict XVI Truly Resigned

We pray that the Vatican’s investigation into Pope Benedict’s resignation will bring to light the truth of his resignation so that the truth might finally ‘make us free’;

David Martin ——Bio and Archives--April 21, 2026

Cover Story | CFP Comments | Reader Friendly | Subscribe | Email Us

It has surfaced in the news that a Vatican investigation is presently underway to officially determine the validity of Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation in 2013. This has been confirmed by the Vatican’s Office of the Promoter of Justice, which is responsible for conducting criminal investigations for the tribunal of the Vatican City State. Professor Allesandro Diddi who heads the office, is spearheading this move in the wake of widespread allegations that Benedict XVI never renounced his papal office or munus. And of course, if he didn’t renounce his office it would mean that Francis was never a pope.

Benedict indeed stepped down from the Chair of Peter but there is no logical reason to think that he was no longer a pope. His stepping down can be compared to one who gives up driving his car while continuing to possess a valid driver license. Benedict gave up the active ministry of driving the Barque of Peter while continuing to retain his papal license (office).

In a 2016 book-length interview with Pope Benedict’s biographer Peter Seewald, Benedict told the journalist: "The situation of Celestine V was extremely peculiar and could in no way be invoked as my precedent."

Pope Celestine V resigned, but in doing so he completely abdicated the Petrine office. That is, he laid off his munus and went back to being the simple monk Pietro da Morrone, and not Pope Emeritus. On the contrary, Benedict said he “in no way” related to what Celestine did, that full abdication from the papacy is what he did not do.

What Benedict did do was to simply step down from the active exercise of the papacy while retaining his office. Consider his own words delivered on the eve of his resignation.

According to the text, Benedict’s office was never revoked.........

© Canada Free Press