13 dicembre 1294. Papa Celestino V – un eremita entrò nel papato dopo una situazione di stallo di 2 anni e si dimise dopo 5 mesi. Odiava la vita di corte vaticana, desiderava la sua caverna e emanò il primo decreto in assoluto che consentiva ai papi di dimettersi, creando un precedente usato secoli dopo da Benedetto XVI.

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