Vatican news: Pope Francis delivers prayers in 2014 (Image: GETTY)
Changes could be made that means a pope who resigns will resume the lower office of cardinal, and will not wear white, or make pronouncements on doctrine.
During his farewell speech, Benedict vowed to not interfere with his successor s agenda, despite claims he would later use his influence over the traditionalists within the church to ensure rituals such as celibacy continued to be observed.
The move was greeted with fanfare in some quarters, including by the Archbishop of Lagos, Alfred Adewale Martins, who said: Like he said in his own words, he acted with full freedom , being conscious of the deep spiritual implication of his action. by his decision, the Holy Father has acted gallantly and as such we must commend and respect his decision.
| UPDATED: 07:09, Thu, Mar 4, 2021
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The pontiff will mark the first visit from a head of the Catholic Church to Iraq, after he was previously set to visit in 2020. The trip was cancelled last year due to the coronavirus pandemic, and Pope John Paul II, who was set to visit in 2000, had his trip cancelled due to security risks.
| UPDATED: 07:49, Wed, Mar 3, 2021
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The Pontiff cautioned the the world could be hit by a natural catastrophe if environmental issues are not addressed. His message was recorded in a new book published on Tuesday, which is based off his interview with Italian priest Fr Marco Pozzi.
POPE FRANCIS has stated he expects to die in Rome, not in his native Argentina, as he commits himself to life as the active or emeritus pontiff, according to a book about the head of the Catholic Church.