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Pope Francis has not considered retiring, but after his physical struggles on his last apostolic journey, the pontiff has made it clear that he reserves the right to resign.
Pope Francis answered questions from reporters Saturday after his historic visit to Canada to promote fraternity with the nation’s indigenous Catholics. He was forced to conduct the interview from a wheelchair, which he used frequently in Canada.
Asked repeatedly by the press if he planned to step down, the pontiff said he had not yet considered retirement, but that Canada was “proof” of his vitality that showed he was slowing down.
“Whatever the Lord says,” Pope Francis told a French journalist. “The Lord can tell me to quit. The Lord is in charge.”
THE POPE SAYS SOCIETY DOES NOT “KNOW HOW TO LIVE” WITH THE PROPORTION OF SENIOR CITIZENS
Pope Francis arrives to participate in a public Mass at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, July 26, 2022. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)
The pontiff reflected: “I think that at my age and with this limitation I have to cut back a little to be able to serve the Church or on the contrary think about the possibility of taking a step to the side”.
The comment is notable, as Pope Francis has so far denied ever thinking about retirement: Popes traditionally serve until their death on the throne. With Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI still alive and living in a converted monastery within the walls of Vatican City, Pope Francis’ resignation would set the stage for three “popes” living in the Vatican at the same time.
However, it seems that Pope Francis is trying to prevent this situation, continuing with his duties despite needing extensive surgery.
“Knee surgery is not planned in my case. Experts say yes, but there is the whole problem of anesthesia. Ten months ago I underwent more than six hours of anesthesia and there are still traces of it. You don’t play, you do” I don’t meet you with anesthesia,” he said during the press conference.
POPE FRANCIS DESCRIBES THE PRESSURES OF THE PAPAPATY: “SOMETIMES, YOU FEEL THAT YOU’RE SURROUNDED”
Pope Francis arrives to say an outdoor Mass at Commonwealth Stadium on Tuesday, July 26, 2022 in Edmonton, Alberta. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
In a meeting last month with more than a dozen Catholic bishops visiting the Vatican from BrazilPope Francis spoke about his health and plans for the future of his reign.
The Pope told visiting Archbishop Roque Paloschi that resigning from the Holy See “doesn’t cross his mind,” according to the Portuguese edition of Official news service of the Vatican.
However, the pope did not feign great health, and told the bishops that he was facing many challenges, but that he wished to live the life that God gave him to the end.
Pope Francis presides over a Mass at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, Canada, on July 26, 2022. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
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Last July, the pope underwent colon surgery and was hospitalized for almost two weeks. Since the operation, the pontiff has regularly complained of knee pain and other side effects that make mobility and physical exertion difficult.
The 85-year-old pope has revisited the subject of old age and deterioration many times in recent years. His lessons and commentary on the reality of aging, often upbeat in nature, have taken on new power as the pontiff struggles with a series of health problems as he continues his physically demanding job.
Timothy Nerozzi is a writer for Fox News Digital. You can follow him on Twitter @timothynerozzi and email him at timothy.nerozzi@fox.com