What might a Pope Francis retirement mean for the Catholic church?

Italian priest Monsignor Leonardo Sapienza (L) gestures as Pope Francis prepares for his weekly general audience in the Paul VI audience hall. Photograph: Maurizio Brambatti/EPA

Almost a decade has passed since Pope Benedict XVI became the first pontiff for 600 years to retire rather than die in office.

The idea of two popes – one serving and one emeritus – intrigued some and troubled others. It even became the subject of a highly fictionalised bromance movie, starring Anthony Hopkins and Jonathan Pryce.