Pope Francis has no plans of stepping down anytime soon. But he did make a surprise revelation about his future during a recent interview, saying he has a resignation letter, signed and ready on standby.
In an interview with the Spanish newspaper ABC, Francis said he wrote the letter shortly after being elected pontiff in 2013 and gave the note to Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, who then was the Vatican secretary of state, in case medical problems prevented him from carrying out his duties, the Associated Press reported.
"I have already signed my renunciation," Francis, 86, revealed to the newspaper. "I signed it and said: 'If I should become impaired for medical reasons or whatever, here is my resignation. Here you have it.'"
Cardinal Pietro Parolin is now said to hold the letter as Cardinal Bertone stepped down as secretary of state in October 2013.
The AP reported that Francis has suffered some recent health issues, having undergone surgery in 2021 to repair a bowel narrowing, and has been using a wheelchair due to knee pain.
When asked if mobility challenges have created challenges, Francis told the newspaper, "One governs with the head, not the knee."
Rumors have been swirling since the summer that the pontiff might choose to step down, following in the footsteps of his predecessor Pope Benedict XVI. Benedict was the first Pope to resign in 600 years, following Pope Celestine V who walked away from the position in 1294.
Francis originally predicted a short papacy for himself and praised Benedict's decision to retire as setting an example for future popes.
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