![God told me to do it': Is this a clue to why Pope Benedict XVI resigned? | The Independent | The Independent God told me to do it': Is this a clue to why Pope Benedict XVI resigned? | The Independent | The Independent](https://static.independent.co.uk/s3fs-public/thumbnails/image/2013/03/23/17/v2-Popes-GETTYv2.jpg?quality=75&width=982&height=726&auto=webp)
God told me to do it': Is this a clue to why Pope Benedict XVI resigned? | The Independent | The Independent
![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
![Pope Benedict XVI resigns: First Pontiff in 600 years to stand down because he 'no longer has strength to carry on' | Daily Mail Online Pope Benedict XVI resigns: First Pontiff in 600 years to stand down because he 'no longer has strength to carry on' | Daily Mail Online](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/02/11/article-2276884-17819829000005DC-859_634x765.jpg)
Pope Benedict XVI resigns: First Pontiff in 600 years to stand down because he 'no longer has strength to carry on' | Daily Mail Online
![A combo of photos shows , left , Pope Benedict XVI on April 16, 2007 and Pope Francis on May 1, 2013 looking at their watch at the Vatican. One year ago A combo of photos shows , left , Pope Benedict XVI on April 16, 2007 and Pope Francis on May 1, 2013 looking at their watch at the Vatican. One year ago](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/2DT76H9/a-combo-of-photos-shows-left-pope-benedict-xvi-on-april-16-2007-and-pope-francis-on-may-1-2013-looking-at-their-watch-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-2DT76H9.jpg)