![Retired Pope Benedict XVI is publicly defending the Catholic Church's traditional rule of priestly celibacy, the former pontiff's most explicit effort so far to influence a decision by his successor Pope Francis, Retired Pope Benedict XVI is publicly defending the Catholic Church's traditional rule of priestly celibacy, the former pontiff's most explicit effort so far to influence a decision by his successor Pope Francis,](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/2DX9PXE/retired-pope-benedict-xvi-is-publicly-defending-the-catholic-churchs-traditional-rule-of-priestly-celibacy-the-former-pontiffs-most-explicit-effort-so-far-to-influence-a-decision-by-his-successor-pope-francis-who-is-considering-a-proposal-to-routinely-ordain-married-men-as-roman-catholic-priests-for-the-first-time-in-almost-a-millennium-elderly-people-including-former-pope-benedict-attended-a-gathering-of-the-wise-and-wrinkled-at-the-vatican-on-september-28-2014-where-pope-francis-denounced-the-neglect-and-abandonment-of-the-old-as-hidden-euthanasia-during-the-festive-event-in-st-2DX9PXE.jpg)
Retired Pope Benedict XVI is publicly defending the Catholic Church's traditional rule of priestly celibacy, the former pontiff's most explicit effort so far to influence a decision by his successor Pope Francis,
![In surprise, Benedict openly defends clerical celibacy as Francis considers married priests | National Catholic Reporter In surprise, Benedict openly defends clerical celibacy as Francis considers married priests | National Catholic Reporter](https://www.ncronline.org/sites/default/files/styles/article_full_width/public/20190415T1153-25960-CNS-BENEDICT-92-LETTER_0.jpg?itok=nQx0tr8C)
In surprise, Benedict openly defends clerical celibacy as Francis considers married priests | National Catholic Reporter
![The vow of renunciation - Pope Benedict XVI breaks silence to reaffirm priest celibacy | The Economic Times The vow of renunciation - Pope Benedict XVI breaks silence to reaffirm priest celibacy | The Economic Times](https://img.etimg.com/thumb/msid-73222819,width-640,height-480,imgsize-625299,resizemode-4/unveiling-the-covert.jpg)
The vow of renunciation - Pope Benedict XVI breaks silence to reaffirm priest celibacy | The Economic Times
![Two Popes, an Oscar race... and an unholy row: The real-life scandal engulfing the Vatican | Daily Mail Online Two Popes, an Oscar race... and an unholy row: The real-life scandal engulfing the Vatican | Daily Mail Online](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/02/06/23/24416514-0-image-a-27_1581030371116.jpg)
Two Popes, an Oscar race... and an unholy row: The real-life scandal engulfing the Vatican | Daily Mail Online
![Drama over Benedict XVI's co-authored book about priestly celibacy roils the Vatican of Pope Francis. Drama over Benedict XVI's co-authored book about priestly celibacy roils the Vatican of Pope Francis.](https://compote.slate.com/images/3f933a5e-0f7d-464b-b5cb-d665f97f5776.jpeg?width=1200&rect=4920x3280&offset=8x0)
Drama over Benedict XVI's co-authored book about priestly celibacy roils the Vatican of Pope Francis.
![The Two Popes” Gives Way to Pope vs. Pope on the Issue of Celibacy in the Priesthood | The New Yorker The Two Popes” Gives Way to Pope vs. Pope on the Issue of Celibacy in the Priesthood | The New Yorker](https://media.newyorker.com/photos/5e332b939c1f2e00094b6e56/2:1/w_2560,h_1280,c_limit/Elie-TwoPopes.jpg)