![Ex-pope Benedict says God told him to resign during 'mystical experience' | Pope Benedict XVI | The Guardian Ex-pope Benedict says God told him to resign during 'mystical experience' | Pope Benedict XVI | The Guardian](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/static/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2013/8/21/1377088860401/Former-pope-Benedict-gree-010.jpg?width=1200&height=630&quality=85&auto=format&fit=crop&overlay-align=bottom%2Cleft&overlay-width=100p&overlay-base64=L2ltZy9zdGF0aWMvb3ZlcmxheXMvdGctYWdlLTIwMTMucG5n&enable=upscale&s=14fda81d903698228887206fd33c3d21)
Ex-pope Benedict says God told him to resign during 'mystical experience' | Pope Benedict XVI | The Guardian
![Pope Benedict XVI spreads incense around the altar during a mass at the Catholic shrine of Fatima in central Portugal, May 13, 2010. Thousands of pilgrims made their way to the Fatima Pope Benedict XVI spreads incense around the altar during a mass at the Catholic shrine of Fatima in central Portugal, May 13, 2010. Thousands of pilgrims made their way to the Fatima](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/2D1E752/pope-benedict-xvi-spreads-incense-around-the-altar-during-a-mass-at-the-catholic-shrine-of-fatima-in-central-portugal-may-13-2010-thousands-of-pilgrims-made-their-way-to-the-fatima-shrine-to-attend-a-mass-by-pope-benedict-xvi-to-mark-the-93rd-anniversary-celebrations-of-the-first-appearance-of-the-virgin-mary-to-three-shepherd-children-in-1917-reuterspaulo-cunhapool-portugal-tags-religion-anniversary-2D1E752.jpg)
Pope Benedict XVI spreads incense around the altar during a mass at the Catholic shrine of Fatima in central Portugal, May 13, 2010. Thousands of pilgrims made their way to the Fatima
![Pope Benedict makes first appearance since resignation news | Houston Style Magazine | Urban Weekly Newspaper Publication Website Pope Benedict makes first appearance since resignation news | Houston Style Magazine | Urban Weekly Newspaper Publication Website](https://epmgaa.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/img/photos/2013/02/11/Pope_Benedict_XVI_t750x550.jpg?d885fc46c41745b3b5de550c70336c1b382931d2)
Pope Benedict makes first appearance since resignation news | Houston Style Magazine | Urban Weekly Newspaper Publication Website
![Pope Benedict XVI leaves after celebrating mass in Paris September 13, 2008. The pope is scheduled to spend two days in Paris before travelling to the pilgrimage site of Lourdes. (UPI Photo/Eco Pope Benedict XVI leaves after celebrating mass in Paris September 13, 2008. The pope is scheduled to spend two days in Paris before travelling to the pilgrimage site of Lourdes. (UPI Photo/Eco](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/TYY367/pope-benedict-xvi-leaves-after-celebrating-mass-in-paris-september-13-2008-the-pope-is-scheduled-to-spend-two-days-in-paris-before-travelling-to-the-pilgrimage-site-of-lourdes-upi-photoeco-clement-TYY367.jpg)
Pope Benedict XVI leaves after celebrating mass in Paris September 13, 2008. The pope is scheduled to spend two days in Paris before travelling to the pilgrimage site of Lourdes. (UPI Photo/Eco
![A combo of photos shows , high , Pope Benedict XVI on December 14, 2006 and Pope Francis on September 20, 2013 in the private library at the Vatican. One year ago A combo of photos shows , high , Pope Benedict XVI on December 14, 2006 and Pope Francis on September 20, 2013 in the private library at the Vatican. One year ago](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/2DT76G1/a-combo-of-photos-shows-high-pope-benedict-xvi-on-december-14-2006-and-pope-francis-on-september-20-2013-in-the-private-library-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-2DT76G1.jpg)
A combo of photos shows , high , Pope Benedict XVI on December 14, 2006 and Pope Francis on September 20, 2013 in the private library at the Vatican. One year ago
![Pope Francis exchanges Christmas greetings with former Pope Benedict XVI in the Mater Ecclesiae monastery, his new residence, in Vatican City on December 23, 2013. One year ago Benedict XVI resigned and Pope Francis exchanges Christmas greetings with former Pope Benedict XVI in the Mater Ecclesiae monastery, his new residence, in Vatican City on December 23, 2013. One year ago Benedict XVI resigned and](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/2DT76FK/pope-francis-exchanges-christmas-greetings-with-former-pope-benedict-xvi-in-the-mater-ecclesiae-monastery-his-new-residence-in-vatican-city-on-december-23-2013-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-abacapresscom-2DT76FK.jpg)
Pope Francis exchanges Christmas greetings with former Pope Benedict XVI in the Mater Ecclesiae monastery, his new residence, in Vatican City on December 23, 2013. One year ago Benedict XVI resigned and
![In his first public appearance since the announcement of his resignation , Pope Benedict XVI said on February 13, 2013 at the Vatican's Paul VI audience hall during his weekly general audience In his first public appearance since the announcement of his resignation , Pope Benedict XVI said on February 13, 2013 at the Vatican's Paul VI audience hall during his weekly general audience](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/2DYDPFY/in-his-first-public-appearance-since-the-announcement-of-his-resignation-pope-benedict-xvi-said-on-february-13-2013-at-the-vaticans-paul-vi-audience-hall-during-his-weekly-general-audience-he-had-made-his-decision-in-full-liberty-for-the-good-of-the-church-because-he-no-longer-had-the-strength-needed-to-carry-out-the-duties-of-the-papacy-at-left-popes-private-secretary-georg-ganswein-photo-by-eric-vandevilleabacapresscom-2DYDPFY.jpg)