![Pope Benedict XVI resigns: First Pontiff in 600 years to stand down because he 'no longer has strength to carry on' | Daily Mail Online Pope Benedict XVI resigns: First Pontiff in 600 years to stand down because he 'no longer has strength to carry on' | Daily Mail Online](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/02/11/article-2276884-17819829000005DC-859_634x765.jpg)
Pope Benedict XVI resigns: First Pontiff in 600 years to stand down because he 'no longer has strength to carry on' | Daily Mail Online
![A combo of photos shows , left , Pope Benedict XVI on April 16, 2007 and Pope Francis on May 1, 2013 looking at their watch at the Vatican. One year ago A combo of photos shows , left , Pope Benedict XVI on April 16, 2007 and Pope Francis on May 1, 2013 looking at their watch at the Vatican. One year ago](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/2DT76H9/a-combo-of-photos-shows-left-pope-benedict-xvi-on-april-16-2007-and-pope-francis-on-may-1-2013-looking-at-their-watch-at-the-vatican-one-year-ago-benedict-xvi-resigned-and-francis-was-elected-pope-on-march-13-2013-marking-the-beginning-of-an-unprecedented-cohabitation-a-retired-pontiff-living-alongside-a-reigning-one-photo-by-eric-vandevilleabacapresscom-2DT76H9.jpg)
A combo of photos shows , left , Pope Benedict XVI on April 16, 2007 and Pope Francis on May 1, 2013 looking at their watch at the Vatican. One year ago
![God told me to do it': Is this a clue to why Pope Benedict XVI resigned? | The Independent | The Independent God told me to do it': Is this a clue to why Pope Benedict XVI resigned? | The Independent | The Independent](https://static.independent.co.uk/s3fs-public/thumbnails/image/2013/03/23/17/v2-Popes-GETTYv2.jpg?quality=75&width=982&height=726&auto=webp)