Lawyers question former Pope’s legal status

International lawyers are looking into former Pope Benedict XVI’s legal status to see whether the former pontiff is liable to a legal action over failing to stop child sex abuse by church priests.

Advocates for the victims of abuse said they want to question Benedict XVI’s immunity status, especially if he travels outside of the Vatican.

Referring to the fact that courts have never tried an emeritus pope before, Attorney Pamela Spees said, “So much of this is unprecedented,” adding, “There’s nothing set in stone about it.”

However, a US lawyer for the Vatican argues that Benedict XVI retains legal immunity regardless of whether he is in or out of office.

Benedict resigned on February 28, becoming the first pontiff in six centuries to do so.

The former pope stated that the reason for his decision was his deteriorating health due to old age.