Pope Francis revealed, in an interview published today, that he signed a letter of resignation about nine years ago if health problems prevent him from carrying out his duties.
The head of the Catholic Church, who turned 86 on Saturday, told Spanish newspaper ABC that he signed the resignation letter and sent it to Vatican Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone before retiring in 2013.
“I signed the resignation and told him: ‘In case of medical or other impediment, here is my resignation. Keep it,'” he declared.
Asked if he wanted this information to be known, the Pope replied: “That’s why I’m telling you.”
Francis, who has said in the past that he would resign if he had health problems, said he did not know what Bertone did with the letter.
The Pope has an inoperable knee problem, which has forced him to use a wheelchair in recent months, and in the last year he has had to cancel or reduce his activity on several occasions due to pain. In an interview in July, he admitted that he had to slow down.
“I think that at my age and with this limitation, I have to preserve myself a little to be able to serve the Church. Or, on the contrary, reflect on the possibility of retiring, ”she said.
Francis’ predecessor, Benedict XVI, resigned in 2013 due to ill health and now lives in the Vatican.
Source: TSF
