Vatican news: Pope Francis delivers prayers in 2014 (Image: GETTY) Changes could be made that means a pope who resigns will resume the lower office of cardinal, and will not wear white, or make pronouncements on doctrine. During his farewell speech, Benedict vowed to not interfere with his successor's agenda, despite claims he would later use his influence over the traditionalists within the church to ensure rituals such as celibacy continued to be observed. The move was greeted with fanfare in some quarters, including by the Archbishop of Lagos, Alfred Adewale Martins, who said: "Like he said in his own words, he acted with 'full freedom', being conscious of the deep spiritual implication of his action... by his decision, the Holy Father has acted gallantly and as such we must commend and respect his decision."