Pope Francis praises the humility of the pontiffs who resigned during their visit to L’Aquila | Globalism

L’Aquila, a city in the center Italia Visited briefly by Francis, is the burial place of Celestine V, who resigned as pope in 1294 after only five months to return to his life as a hermit, establishing a papal privilege.

Pope Benedict, who in 2013 became the first pope in nearly 600 years to resign voluntarily, visited L’Aquila four years before he stepped down. In the past, Francis also praised the courage of Benedict XVI.

When the Vatican announced in June Francis’s trip to L’Aquila – to inaugurate an annual “Feast of Pardon” – it sparked speculation that the coupling of events – including the new cardinals’ inauguration on Saturday and meetings on Monday – were just in the new constitution. – It can be foreshadowed by the announcement of resignation.

However, in an interview with Reuters last month, Francis, 85, laughed at the idea, saying it “never crossed my mind,” leaving open the possibility that he would step down for health reasons in the future.

In his homily at a mass for thousands of people in a central square, Francis noted that in his “Divine Comedy,” Dante Alighieri condemned Celestino for what the medieval poet called “the great refusal.”

But Francis, who prayed silently before Celestino’s tomb, said that by relinquishing power, Celestino showed the strength that comes from humility.

L’Aquila was hit by a devastating earthquake in 2009 that killed 309 people, injured several thousand, and destroyed many buildings.

At the start of Sunday’s visit, Francis donned the gray helmet of the firefighters and was led through the ruins of the city’s cathedral, which is being reconstructed.