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In an interview published on Sunday, Pope Francis disclosed that shortly after being elected pope in 2013, he wrote a resignation letter if he was unable to perform his duties due to illness in the future.
Speaking to a Spanish newspaper, Pope Francis claimed he gave the note to Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the Vatican's secretary of state. The pope further stated that he takes the current Vatican No. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, who currently holds the No. 2 position, has the written instructions. Francis, who turned 86 on Saturday, underwent surgery in 2021 to treat a bowel narrowing. When asked whether there should be a rule for situations where a pope is suddenly rendered incapable of performing his duties due to illness or an accident, Francis responded that there is already a rule in place.
Francis indicated that he did so early in his pontificate but had already signed his renunciation. In previous speeches, Pope Francis praised Pope Benedict XVI's decision to step down because he believed his advanced age would make it difficult for him to perform his duties. Francis was chosen as the first pope of South America due to Benedict's resignation, which was the first in 600 years. Francis is currently residing in a monastery on the grounds of the Vatican.
In the interview, Francis downplayed his difficulty moving around, saying, "One governs with the head, not the knee. A papal resignation must be "freely and properly manifested," according to Catholic church law. In February 2013, Benedict shocked the world by announcing his resignation to a group of prelates at the Vatican.
Speaking to a Spanish newspaper, Pope Francis claimed he gave the note to Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the Vatican's secretary of state. The pope further stated that he takes the current Vatican No. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, who currently holds the No. 2 position, has the written instructions. Francis, who turned 86 on Saturday, underwent surgery in 2021 to treat a bowel narrowing. When asked whether there should be a rule for situations where a pope is suddenly rendered incapable of performing his duties due to illness or an accident, Francis responded that there is already a rule in place.
Francis indicated that he did so early in his pontificate but had already signed his renunciation. In previous speeches, Pope Francis praised Pope Benedict XVI's decision to step down because he believed his advanced age would make it difficult for him to perform his duties. Francis was chosen as the first pope of South America due to Benedict's resignation, which was the first in 600 years. Francis is currently residing in a monastery on the grounds of the Vatican.
In the interview, Francis downplayed his difficulty moving around, saying, "One governs with the head, not the knee. A papal resignation must be "freely and properly manifested," according to Catholic church law. In February 2013, Benedict shocked the world by announcing his resignation to a group of prelates at the Vatican.
FAQs:
- How old is Pope Francis?
Pope Francis turned eighty-six years old this December 17. - Has Pope Francis resigned from his post?
No, but his resignation letter has been ready since 2013.
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