Pope Benedict to have new title for retirement

Pope Benedict XVI will be known as 'pope emeritus' once he resigns this week, officials have confirmed

16:14 26 February 2013

Vatican officials have said that Pope Benedict XVI’s title will become 'pope emeritus' when he retires from his post on Thursday, 28th February, 2013. The Pope will keep the honorific ‘His Holiness’.

The news emerged on Tuesday following deliberations in the Vatican over what Pope Benedict would be called after his resignation.

This comes as Pope Benedict will become the first person to stand down from the post in over 600 years, as previous popes have ruled for the duration of their life.

He will wear a white cassock but will no longer wear the notable red shoes, a spokesperson has confirmed on Tuesday, 26th February.

Pope Benedict XVI was born with the name Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger in April 1927, and marks the 265th person to become leader of the Catholic Church as pope.