The news that Pope Francis is to visit the Italian town of L’Aquila on the day before he is due to convene a gathering of the world’s cardinals in the Vatican sparked a flurry of papal resignation speculation.

During his 28 August trip to central Italy, Francis will celebrate Mass in the forecourt of the Basilica of Santa Maria di Collemaggio, where Pope Celestine V is buried. He is the thirteenth-century monk, hermit, pope and saint who resigned from the papacy a few months after being elected. It was in front of his tomb that Benedict XVI laid down one of the symbols of his office (the pallium) four years before his own dramatic resignation in February 2013.

However, Pope Francis is making the L’Aquila visit to show his solidarity with those still rebuilding their lives following the devastating 2009 earthquake in the region, and to take part in the Perdonanza Celestiniana (the “Celestine Pardon”), an annual celebration that goes back to 1295, when Celestine granted a plenary indulgence to everyone who visits the Collemaggio Basilica, receives Communion, goes to confession and prays for the Pope’s intentions.