Resignation of Pope Benedict XVI

High school (ages 12+)
History & Culture

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/resignation-of-pope-benedict-xvi

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the date of papal resignation announcement?February 11, 2013
2. What is the effective date and time of resignation?February 28, 2013, at 20:00 Roman-Vatican Time
3. What does it mean when a pope says he wants to retire?It means he chooses to stop being the leader of the Catholic Church, which is a very rare thing.
4. Why did Pope Benedict XVI decide to step down?He was 85 and felt his energy was too low to run the Church, so he chose to resign voluntarily.

Petrine Office: The office of the Pope, considered the successor of Saint Peter, the first Pope.
College of Cardinals: A body of senior church officials who elect a new Pope and advise the current Pope.
Papal Conclave: The closed meeting of cardinals convened to elect a new Pope.
Pope Emeritus: A former Pope who has resigned and retains a special, respected status.