The singer out of Slipknot went to Rome to see the Pope

[venta]

Most people in my office have their news site of preference open in the background during the day; most people sporadically comment on the headlines.

This morning has mostly been punctuated by people saying "Oh. I didn't know popes could resign."

Comments

[phlebas]

I'm surprised the word is resign rather than abdicate or something.
And (according to Vatican sources) The Pope never even said to his aide?

[venta]

I was rather hoping that, if there were ways of getting out of poping other than dying, that there was a special word for it. Maybe old popes just Peter out :)

The Pope never even said to his aide?

He didn't? Bah. I thought I could rely on HMHB.

And a kudo, of course.

[zotz]

I believe it's happened once before. It was mentioned when Papa Ratzo got elected.

See Thee Ackurrsed Witchipedia for further details.

[valkyriekaren]

Couple of times, but not since 1415.

[bateleur]

Wow, that's... not recent!

[valkyriekaren]

No, and then it was only because there were two other potential Popes battling for supremacy (the Avignon and Pisa antipopes), so he resigned after calling a conclave of all the relevant parties to end the dispute once and for all and prevent the church fragmenting into two or more rival factions.

As far as I know this is the first time a Pope has resigned on grounds of ill health, despite many having obviously had severely impaired health and faculties before their death in office.