Ex-Pope Benedict: God told me to resign
Former Pope, Benedict XVI.
Former Pope Benedict XVI says God told him to resign the papacy in what he calls a "mystical experience," Catholic news agency Zenit reported.
"God told me" to step down, the pope emeritus was quoted as telling a visitor in the convent in the Vatican gardens where he's living out his retirement.
More from GlobalPost: Pope Benedict XVI: I'm resigning for the good of the Church
Benedict shocked the world when he announced his retirement Feb. 11, becoming the first pope to step down in nearly 600 years.
Rumors of a serious illness were quickly denied by the Vatican, as was speculation that Benedict quit over various scandals that blighted his eight-year reign.
At age 86, Benedict simply said he was too tired mentally and physically to continue.
More from GlobalPost: Pope Benedict XVI bids farewell (PHOTOS)
He was succeeded by Pope Francis, the former Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina, who has made waves with his simple, humble style and untraditional words and actions.
Benedict told his visitor that the more he observes Pope Francis, the more he realizes the choice was "wanted by God."
The former pope spent last Sunday at the papal summer retreat known as Castel Gandolfo, south of Rome.
The story you just read is available for free because thousands of listeners and readers like you generously support our nonprofit newsroom. Every day, reporters and producers at The World are hard at work bringing you human-centered news from across the globe. But we can’t do it without you: We need your support to ensure we can continue this work for another year.
Make a gift today, and you’ll get us one step closer to our goal of raising $25,000 by June 14. We need your help now more than ever!