Pope Benedict XVI served as pope for exactly seven years, ten months, and nine days. His papacy began on April 19, 2005, following the death of Pope John Paul II, and ended with his resignation on February 28, 2013
. He was the first pope to resign voluntarily since Pope Celestine V in 1294 and the first to resign at all since Gregory XII in 1415
. Benedict cited deteriorating strength due to old age and the physical and mental demands of the papacy as reasons for his resignation
. After his resignation, he held the title "Pope Emeritus" until his death in 2022
