There is new speculation over the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI that may link the Pope's decision to step down with the sex abuse scandal that plagues the Catholic Church

The rumors were reported by liberal debunking website Addicting Info on Thursday that claimed an arrest warrant was issued for the Pope, whose given name is Joseph Ratzinger.

The pontiff allegedly has an upcoming meeting with Italian President Giorgio Napolitano that is scheduled for Feb. 23 in which the Pope will seek immunity for links to sex crimes against children.

The rumored warrant was issued by an unknown country in Europe that seeks to prosecute Pope Benedict XVI.

"Apparently, this hastily arranged meeting, and likely the resignation as well, are the result of a supposed note received by the Vatican from an undisclosed European government that stated that there are plans to issue a warrant for the Pope's arrest," wrote Shannon Barber in the Addicting Info report.

The website claimed that the source of the information came from the International Tribunal website that calls the Pope a "war criminal."

The story that the Pope is going to seek immunity for the sex abuse charges was also reported by metaphysical author Stuart Wilde on his website which cited his source as the International Tribunal Into Crimes of Church and State.

The Huffington Post questioned the arrest warrant rumors by pointing out that if the Pope resigns as the leader of the Vatican then he would lose his diplomatic immunity as a head of state.

Pope Benedict XVI announced his resignation on Feb. 11 and is the first pontiff in around 600 years to step down voluntarily.

The alleged reason the 85-year-old pontiff is going into retirement is due to his waning health.

A new pope is expected to take over the church duties by Easter.

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