So it is unusual, to say the least.
It is rare and I would agree that this resignation was different from the others. The thing is a lot about the last 50 years has been “unusual”, “different”, etc. I just don’t agree with some others that Benedict was threatened or forced to resign. he did it willingly. It’s just that the former folks don’t want to accept it.
“So it is unusual, to say the least.”
Unusual, but not unheard of, not unprecedented, and not invalid. Thus, who resigned as pope before Pope Francis became pope has no bearing on the validity of Pope Francis’ pontificate. All that matters is that Pope Benedict validly resigned, and Francis was validly elected. That’s what happened. That’s the reality of things.