Gregory XII

Francis is fast closing in on one of them, Pope Gregory XII, perhaps best known for having been the most recent pope to resign until Pope Benedict XVI stepped down in 2013.

No pope had resigned his office since Gregory XII in 1415.

He led the Catholic Church for less than eight years until, in 2013, he became the first Pope to resign since Gregory XII in 1415.

Even the Middle Ages do not provide a template, because when Gregory XII resigned in 1415 his aim was to bring an end to years of division involving rival challengers to the papacy.

Although he had been suffering from poor health, his decision to resign came as a surprise as no pope had done so since Gregory XII in 1415.