The Pope Who Resigned – Celestine V and His Holy Exit

Описание: In 1294, a humble hermit named Pietro del Morrone became Pope Celestine V, one of the most reluctant pontiffs in history. But after just five months in the Vatican, he did the unthinkable—he quit. Why did Celestine V resign? What pressures led to his departure, and how did his brief reign shake the papacy for centuries to come? This is the remarkable story of the only pope to voluntarily resign... until modern times.

In the year 1294, the Catholic Church was in crisis. For over two years, it had been without a pope. Then, the cardinals turned to a most unlikely candidate: Pietro del Morrone, a reclusive monk living in the mountains. He was chosen not for his political savvy, but for his piety. At nearly 80 years old, he became Pope Celestine V—against his own wishes.

From the start, Celestine was overwhelmed. He preferred solitude to statecraft, and the Vatican's political machinations were far beyond his comfort zone. Quickly manipulated by more powerful figures, including King Charles II of Naples, Celestine realized he was a pawn in a game he didn’t want to play.

After only five months, he made a decision almost unheard of—he abdicated the papacy. It was an act of humility, and perhaps one of quiet rebellion. His successor, Pope Boniface VIII, would imprison Celestine for fear he might be used as a rival pope. Celestine died in captivity.

Centuries later, Dante would place Celestine in the “Inferno” for his abdication. But history has come to see him as a man of peace, who chose conscience over power.

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