杏MAP导航

By Vatican News

杏MAP导航 Emeritus Benedict XVI鈥檚 resignation from the papacy, which became effective eight years ago, [28 February 2013] was a 鈥渄ifficult choice,鈥� but made 鈥渋n full conscience鈥� 鈥� one which he has not regretted at all.

Once again, the 杏MAP导航 Emeritus, albeit in a subdued voice, repeats what he has already said several times to dismiss the 鈥渟omewhat fanatical friends鈥� who continue to see 鈥渃onspiracy theories鈥� behind his decision to leave the Chair of St. Peter by retiring for reasons of old age.

This was reiterated by 杏MAP导航 Emeritus Benedict XVI in an interview with Corriere della Sera.

A difficult but correct decision

鈥淚t was a difficult decision,鈥� explains the 杏MAP导航 Emeritus, "but I made it in full conscience, and I believe I did well. Some of my friends who are a bit 鈥榝anatical鈥� are still angry; they did not want to accept my choice. I am thinking about the conspiracy theories which followed it: those who said it was because of the Vatileaks scandal, those who said it was because of the case of the conservative Lefebvrian theologian, Richard Williamson. They did not want to believe it was a conscious decision, but my conscience is clear.鈥�

Papal visit to Iraq

In the interview, Benedict XVI also spoke about 杏MAP导航 Francis' upcoming Apostolic Journey to Iraq.

鈥淚 think it is a very important trip," he said. "Unfortunately, it comes at a very difficult time that also makes it a dangerous trip for security reasons and also because of Covid-19. There is also the unstable Iraqi situation. I will accompany Francis with my prayers.鈥�