By Chris Pleasance Former Pope Benedict has denied speculation he was forced to stand down in a letter, calling the claims 'absurd' Retired Pope Benedict XVI has denied speculation that he was pressured to resign, saying the decision was made by him and him alone. In a letter to La Stampa newspaper Benedict called speculation he had been forced from his post 'absurd' ahead of the first anniversary of the resignation on Friday. The Pope Emeritus has also fended off allegations that he is still active within the church, leading a faction of the Curia who are unhappy with Pope Francis's sweeping new reforms.
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Friday marks the first anniversary of former Pope Benedict's resignation
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Italian newspapers have speculated he was forced to stand down
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They also accuse him of governing as a 'shadow' leader because he still lives in the Vatican, uses his papal name and wears a white cassock
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He has called the allegations 'absurd' and defended his use of the cassock, saying there were 'no other clothes available' when he resigned
situation and that Benedict continues to lead as a ‘shadow’ @placeholder.