Andrea Cionci

Andrea Cionci is an Italian journalist who has written for the daily Libero and for the outlets ByoBlu and RomaIT. He is a leading Italian proponent of the theory that Benedict XVI never validly resigned (Wikipedia (Italian); Amazon author page). His book Codice Ratzinger was published by Byoblu in 2022, with English, French and German editions (Sololibri; Amazon). It argues that Benedict renounced only the exercise of the papacy (ministerium) and not the office (munus), placing himself in an "impeded see" (sede impedita). On this reading Francis was an antipope (UCCR). See benevacantism.

Formal steps. Cionci says he filed a petition with the Vatican tribunal on 6 June 2024 seeking recognition of the nullity of Benedict's abdication (announcement, republished). According to a supportive site, the Vatican's promoter of justice heard him in April 2025 (FromRome.info). He has said he was heard a second time in August 2026 (Nuntiatoria). TradWatch™ found no published outcome or Holy See statement on the petition.

Leo XIV. In May 2025 Cionci read details of Leo XIV's first appearance as possible signs that a legitimate succession had been restored (ByoBlu; Radio Radio). He then asked for the conclave minutes, to check whether only cardinals created before Francis had voted (UCCR). UCCR reported a public break between Cionci and the former priest Alessandro Minutella over Leo XIV (UCCR).

Assessments. The Italian fact-checker Facta called the theory unfounded (Facta). UCCR published a detailed rebuttal (UCCR). In 2023 Euronews described banners flown over Italian beaches promoting the claim that Francis was an antipope as spreading a conspiracy theory (Euronews). Il Post described the book's publisher, Byoblu, as linked to an outlet that often spreads false or exaggerated news (Il Post).