The Joy of the Pope's Face: Reflection of the Sweet Face of Jesus

Here is Don Julian Carron, the leader of Communione e Liberazione on the source of the Pope Emeritus' joy in his decision to resign: the encounter with Jesus.

It is an act of freedom of a son of God.  The gesture of resigning means in large part that the world and the Church need to turn to God, but the method of the renewal is also contained in His Holiness' resignation; it is itself an act of turning to God.  That is why the Pope is filled with supernatural joy, it is God's decision coming from the face of Christ.