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Celestine V, a hermit who founded the religious order that bears his name, was later canonized.
WSJ: Tale of Two Popes: Pontiff's Exit Could Challenge Vatican
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It seems, like Celestine V and maybe even Paul VI, that Benedict was never quite comfortable as pope.
CNN: A traditional papacy ends with a surprise
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The last Pope to resign willingly was Celestine V, who stepped down in 1294, while Gregory XII reluctantly abdicated in 1415.
BBC: News Online
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In 1294, former hermit Celestine V resigned after five months as pope.
BBC: Pope Francis visits Benedict XVI at Castel Gandolfo
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Celestine V, a hermit elected at age of 80, stepped down at the end of the 13th century because he felt exhausted by the office.
WSJ: Pope Benedict XVI to Resign
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With hindsight, his visit to the tomb of 13th century Pope Celestine V, a Benedictine monk who resigned from the papacy eight centuries before, becomes poignant.
CNN: Benedict a pope aware of his flaws
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In 1294, Pope Celestine V, only five months after his election, issued a solemn decree declaring it permissible for a pope to resign and then did so.
BBC: How does a Pope resign from office?
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In the 13th century, Pope Celestine V resigned under pressure and was imprisoned by his successor, who feared the previous pope could become a rival, said Father Cito.
WSJ: Tale of Two Popes: Pontiff's Exit Could Challenge Vatican
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The most famous resignation is Celestine V in 1294.
CNN: A traditional papacy ends with a surprise
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But he was so miserable as Pope Celestine V that he abdicated after five months, returned to the Majella region and was later arrested by his successor, Boniface VIII (presumably to get rid of him) and died in prison less than a year later.
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