Pope Benedict XVI served as pope from April 19, 2005, until his resignation on February 28, 2013. His papacy lasted exactly seven years, ten months, and nine days
. He was the first pope to resign in nearly 600 years, citing deteriorating strength due to old age and the physical and mental demands of the papacy as his reasons for stepping down
. After his resignation, he held the title "Pope Emeritus" until his death in December 2022
