13. Dezember 1294. Papst Celestine V. – ein Einsiedler – trat nach zweijähriger Pattsituation in das Papsttum ein und trat nach fünf Monaten zurück. Er hasste das Leben am Hofe des Vatikans, sehnte sich nach seiner Höhle und erließ das erste Dekret überhaupt, das den Päpsten den Rücktritt erlaubte, und schuf damit einen Präzedenzfall, den Jahrhunderte später Benedikt XVI. nutzte.

Pope Celestine V, born Pietro da Morrone, was a hermit monk known for his ascetic life. In 1294, after two years without a papal election, the cardinals reluctantly chose him as a compromise. Overwhelmed by politics, ceremonies, and the Curia’s intrigues, he found himself trapped in a world he never wanted. Just five months later, he issued a decree formally allowing papal resignation – the first of its kind – and stepped down, returning to his monastic life. His brief, reluctant papacy shocked Europe and set a precedent that would allow centuries later the resignation of Benedict XVI.

It’s the cave life for me, boys