Pedro Arrupe and Peter-Hans Kolvenbach
There haven't been any papal resignations per se in quite a while. However, if we take into account the Superior General of the Society of Jesus, which is also known as the Black Pope? There have been two previous modern resignations.
1. Arrupe's resignation was accepted on September 3, 1983
Pedro Arrupe, S.J. the 28th Superior General of the Society of Jesus (1965–83):
On August 7, 1981, after a long and tiring trip throughout the Far East, Fr. Arrupe suffered a stroke just after his aeroplane landed at Rome's Fiumicino Airport. He was paralysed on his right side and was able to speak only a few words. This ability gradually deteriorated until he was completely mute. From that time on he lived in the infirmary at the Jesuit Motherhouse. He was the first Jesuit Superior-General to resign instead of remaining in office until his death. Pope John Paul II appointed Fr. Paolo Dezza as his personal delegate and interim Father General of the Society, passing over Fr. Arrupe’ s own choice of vicar general. There was a wave of resentment in the Society as this was seen as unwarranted papal interference in Jesuit affairs. For his part, Fr. Arrupe never expressed any disagreement or resentment.[10] In 1983, Fr. Dezza called the thirty-third General Congregation to deal with the resignation of Arrupe and the election of a successor. Fr. Arrupe's resignation was accepted on September 3, 1983 during the Congregation and it proceeded to elect Fr. Peter Hans Kolvenbach as Father General. During the opening Session of the Congregation Fr. Arrupe was wheeled into the hall, and a prayer which he had written was read out.1
And more recently:
2. Kolvenbach's resignation was accepted on 14 January 2008
Peter-Hans Kolvenbach, SJ, was the 29th Superior General of the Society of Jesus (1983 to 2008):
In February, 2006, Kolvenbach informed the members of the Society of Jesus of his intention, with the consent of Pope Benedict XVI, to step down in 2008. His resignation was accepted at the 35th General Congregation of the Society of Jesus. When asked about his plans for retirement, Kolvenbach stated his hope that he could join the Jesuits in the Near East to be a help in that war-torn region.2
On 2 February 2006, Fr. Kolvenbach informed the members of the Society of Jesus that, with the consent of Pope Benedict XVI, he intended to step down in 2008, the year he would turn 80. As the superior general is elected for life, Kolvenbach was only the second to resign the office.The 35th General Congregation of the Society of Jesus convened on 5 January 2008 in Rome. On 14 January it accepted Kolvenbach's resignation and elected Adolfo Nicolás as his successor.[citation needed]3
Since the pope is infallible, I guess even quitting his job can be considered a righteous act.
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