Will Benedict be infallible after retirement?

[ConHusker]

Dear CA,

A friend asked about whether or not Cardinal Ratzinger will still retain infallibility after he steps down on Feb 28th. I looked for the answer online, but wanted to get a solidly Catholic response before I got back to him.

Thanks!

Connor

 

[Fr.Charles_Grondin]

No, infallibility is a charism of the office of the Pope. Once Benedict is no longer Pope he will no longer have that charism.

“These powers go with the office, so they will pass to the next pope… Whoever renounces no longer has the assistance of the Holy Spirit to guide the Universal Church,” Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi said at a briefing.