# Was Benedict XVI Still Pope? Vatican Petition Sparks Debate | Patrick Coffin

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-john-henry-westen-show-1180464/was-benedict-xvi-still-pope-vatican-petition-sparks-debate-patrick-coffin
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-john-henry-westen-show-1180464/was-benedict-xvi-still-pope-vatican-petition-sparks-debate-patrick-coffin.md
Podcast: [The John-Henry Westen Show](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-john-henry-westen-show-1180464)
Published: 2026-05-15T00:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://shows.acast.com/the-john-henry-westen-show/episodes/was-benedict-xvi-still-pope-vatican-petition-sparks-debate-p
Audio file: https://sphinx.acast.com/p/open/s/5c98fbd7ddf2c42b5c7484d1/e/6a062806382d6c4030ce21ac/media.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-john-henry-westen-show-1180464/episodes/was-benedict-xvi-still-pope-vatican-petition-sparks-debate-patrick-coffin
Duration seconds: 2819

## Resource

John-Henry Westen and Patrick Coffin discuss a petition accepted by the Vatican Criminal Court challenging the validity of Pope Benedict XVI’s 2013 resignation. The debate centers on whether Benedict renounced only the ministerium (active ministry) rather than the munus (papal office) required under canon law. Questions are also raised about the 2013 conclave and allegations involving the so-called “Saint Gallen group” and improper electioneering. If Benedict’s resignation or the conclave were invalid, the implications for the pontificate of Pope Francis and subsequent Vatican appointments could be enormous. The discussion explores the theological and canonical consequences of one of the most controversial claims in modern Church history. HELP SUPPORT WORK LIKE THIS: https://give.lifesitenews.com/?utm_source=SOCIAL U.S. residents! Create a will with LifeSiteNews: https://www.mylegacywill.com/lifesitenews   **** PROTECT Your Wealth with gold, silver, and precious metals: https://sjp.stjosephpartners.com/lifesitenews +++ SHOP ALL YOUR FUN AND FAVORITE LIFESITE MERCH! https://shop.lifesitenews.com/     +++ Connect with John-Henry Westen and all of LifeSiteNews on social media: LifeSite: https://linktr.ee/lifesitenews John-Henry Westen: https://linktr.ee/jhwesten Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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