Benedict XVI discusses his resignation, Francis' trip to Iraq in interview Pope Benedict XVI reads his resignation in Latin during a meeting of cardinals at the Vatican in this Feb. 11, 2013, file photo. Speaking of his resignation, the retired pope recently told the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera that "it was a difficult decision, but I made it in full awareness, and I believe it was correct." CNS photo/Vatican Media Benedict XVI discusses his resignation, Francis' trip to Iraq in interview By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News Service March 1, 2021 VATICAN CITY -- Although it took obvious effort to pronounce each word and sometimes his secretary repeated what he said to make it clear, retired Pope Benedict XVI spoke to an Italian newspaper about his retirement and about Pope Francis' planned trip to Iraq.