Pope Francis’ recent health struggles, worsening mobility issues and canceled events have fueled rumors that the head of the Catholic Church is about to follow his predecessor into early retirement.
Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, was elected to the papacy in March 2013, after Pope Benedict XVI stepped down at age 85, becoming the first pontiff to do so since Gregory XII in 1415.
Now, some Vatican observers believe that the 85-year-old Francis could become the second — although the pope’s adviser has brushed off the chatter.
Cardinal Oscar Andrés Rodríguez Maradiaga slammed the retirement rumors as nothing more than “cheap soap opera,” according to Religious News Service.
The Holy See so far has given no indications that the pontiff intends to give up the throne of St. Peter, rather than die in office — as has been the custom for the vast majority of the bishops of Rome.
Still, speculations about a possible resignation have been swirling for months.
Last July, the Argentine-born pope had the left part of his colon removed during a three-hour surgery because his bowel had narrowed.
Since then, his health has been in apparent decline, and for the past month Francis has been getting around in a wheelchair, or with the aid of a cane, because of knee pain.
The octogenarian prelate reportedly does not want to undergo surgery on his knee — and was quoted as telling bishops in May: “Rather than operate, I’ll resign.”
Francis has been open about his struggles, saying in his general audience address last week that the elderly must accept their physical limitations.
“When we are old, we cannot do the same things we did when we were young: The body has another pace, and we must listen to the body and accept its limits,” he said. “We all have them. I too have to use a walking stick now.”
The bishop of Rome also suffers from sciatica, which caused him to limp even before the issue with the knee arose.
A week before the pontiff’s remarks on old age, the Vatican canceled a planned July trip to Africa, citing his health problems.
The rumor mill surrounding Francis’ possible retirement went into overdrive when he scheduled a meeting of cardinals in L’Aquila in central Italy for late August.
The occasion will mark what is known as the “Feast of Forgiveness,” which was established by Pope Celestine V in 1294 — the same year the 13th-century pontiff resigned from the Holy See.
The celebrations will commence Aug. 28 — a day after Francis is scheduled to appoint 21 new cardinals, who will be eligible to vote in a conclave if he decides to walk away from the papacy.
Popes are chosen by the College of Cardinals, who get called to the Vatican for a meeting, followed by the papal election, or conclave.
Before Francis’ predecessor, Benedict XVI, shocked the world by announcing his retirement in 2013 after eight years in power, he visited Celestine’s grave at the Basilica of Santa Maria di Collemaggio in L’Aquila.
Benedict, who became known as “pope emeritus” after his resignation, continues to reside in Vatican City. At age 95, he is the longest-lived person to have held the office of pope.
I believe he is the Anti-Christ that the bible speaks about. RESIGN ALREADY YOU IMPOSTER !!!
Bye-bye you evil Antichrist demon Pope ,maybe you’re sick from all the abortion you backed and wouldn’t standby other church members who would not accept abortion as law ,I hope these babies deaths and their blood is on your hands and you burn in hell for it, sometimes the demons hide in the most religious places so no one suspects them of being the demons ,any priests that will not step up against abortion is satanic & he has a history of not standing up to evil communist beliefs he needs to go.
Someone needs to speak to the Priest who gave permission for Pelosi to have communion after the Arch-Bishop said no. She is pro abortion, the Arch-Bishop was right to deny communion to her.