This week in Christian history: JFK meets pope, Clinton cracks down on church arsons

By Michael Gryboski, Mainline Church Editor Sunday, July 02, 2023

Pope Gregory XII resigns – July 4, 1415

This week marks the anniversary of when Pope Gregory XII resigned from his position as head of the Roman Catholic Church, one of the few pontiffs to do such.

Born Angelo Corraro, Gregory XII had been elected pope in 1406, but dealt with division with the Church over who could rightfully hold the position of head of the denomination.

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At the Council of Constance, which was called to resolve the competing claims of who was the rightful pope, Gregory XII agreed to step down from the papal office as part of a compromise.

“After leaving the papal throne, Gregory began using the name Angelo again and moved to Ancona in central Italy. He lived there from his resignation on July 4, 1415, until his death on October 18, 1417, more than two years later,” explained PopeHistory.com.

“Angelo seldom spoke of his papacy and was quiet about his experience. Following Angelo’s death, he was buried in a local church.”