Pope Francis faces health crisis: Abdication rumors swirl
Pope Francis has been in the hospital for over two weeks due to pneumonia, leading the media to increasingly question his health and the possibility of abdication. His biographer, Austen Ivereigh, discussed the circumstances under which resignation might occur in an interview with CNN.
Pope Francis has been staying at the Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome for more than two weeks. Doctors are treating him for bilateral pneumonia, which has led to numerous speculations. Some observers suggest that the Holy Father may follow Benedict XVI's example and step down due to his poor health. His biographer, Austen Ivereigh, offered insights.
I think the only circumstances under which he (Francis) would consider resignation, as he has said, would be if he had a long-term degenerative or debilitating condition which prevented him from fully carrying out the papal ministry, he said in an interview with CNN.
Ivereigh explains that the current pope does not want a "truncated pontificate." According to him, a possible resignation could set a precedent, suggesting that future popes might step down at a certain age or due to poor health. The commentator does not doubt that if the pope were to announce his resignation, he would do so at the least expected moment.
Marco Politi, a Vatican commentator and author of a book on Francis' pontificate, believes that the pope is currently focused on overcoming the crisis and possibly completing the jubilee. On his 89th birthday, he adds, the pope must consider whether he is still fit to lead the Church.
The Catholic Church is celebrating a jubilee year commemorating the birth of Jesus. In Vatican City, this celebration occurs every 25 years.
Ivereigh emphasizes that Pope Francis must decide and cannot be subject to compulsion or pressure. Previously, he mentioned that his pontificate would last until the end of his life and that he has no plans to resign. Archbishop Paul Gallagher, the Vatican's foreign minister, also stated that the pope wants to return to his duties.
CNN recalls that Benedict XVI resigned on February 11, 2013, during a routine meeting of cardinals. At that time, the clergy were to vote on canonization matters. The meeting was nearing its end when Joseph Ratzinger announced his decision in Latin. The cardinals were incredulous.
Rumors of Francis' resignation intensified when the pope convened a meeting with the cardinals. The date is yet to be determined, but he did so while in the hospital, visited by the most critical hierarchs in the Vatican.
