Pope Francis opened the basilica’s holy door as part of the annual penitential rite and was the first pope to do so since 1294. He also prayed before the relics of St. Celestine, whose tomb lies inside the basilica.
Without forgiveness, humility, pope says, then injustice, wars will rage
Stepping down: Experts draft proposed laws on status of a retired pope
The law is not very detailed, saying only that the decision must be made freely and “duly manifested,” and no one needs to formally accept a pope’s resignation for it to be valid.