Having two popes in the Vatican was not always easy

Pope Emeritus Benedict was rarely seen after his retirement, but he was heard – leading to calls for the rules around a pontiff who has resigned to be clarified, writes Philip Pullella

Former Pope Benedict, right, is greeted by Pope Francis in 2016 (Reuters)

When Pope Benedict XVI shocked the Roman Catholic Church in 2013 by announcing he would resign instead of ruling for life, he promised to stay in the Vatican "hidden from the world".

He kept only half that promise. Benedict may not have been seen much, but he certainly was heard.

Benedict wrote, gave interviews and, unwittingly or not, became a lightning rod for opponents of Pope Francis, either for doctrinal reasons or because they were loath to relinquish the clerical privileges the new pope wanted to dismantle.