A Vatican ceremony on June 28 marked the 65th anniversary of the priestly ordination of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. It featured a rare joint appearance by Pope Francis and his predecessor that seemed aimed at tamping down speculation prompted by the unusual circumstance that there are two living popes. In recent weeks debate has erupted over whether the two popes are sharing authority in the church or whether Francis is the sole successor of St. Peter. But Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI is “clearly” a retired pope, Francis said during an in-flight press conference on his return to Rome on June 26 from Armenia, adding, “There is one single pope.” Francis recounted how Benedict has shooed away conservative supporters who come complaining about his reformist papacy. His predecessor reinforced that dynamic at the celebration, offering an endorsement of the course Francis has charted for the church. “We hope that you can go forward with all of us on this path of divine mercy, showing us the path of Jesus toward God,” said the retired pope.
One Pope at a Time
Show Comments ()
1
Comments are automatically closed two weeks after an article's initial publication. See our comments policy for more.
Richard Booth
8 years 5 months ago
Good heavens! Do people really need this explained? If so, we are in sad shape.
The latest from america
While I would never wish this disease on anyone, it has prompted a personal eucharistic revival of sorts within my own spiritual life.
“I want to be a companion to Sister Sheral on this journey for as long as I have breath,” Sister Maureen Sinnott writes.
San Antonio's Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller discussed the incoming Trump administration, synodality, the U.S. bishops’ anti-poverty program and his health.
“President Biden's decision to commute the sentences of 37 prisoners condemned to death was a reminder that even the most heinous of our sins does not mar our human dignity.”