Pope Francis has revealed in a brand-new interview that was released on Sunday, December 18, that he had signed a letter of resignation after being elected in 2013 that could be used if he ever experienced severe and ongoing health issues that prevented him from performing his official duties.
Francis said this in an interview with the Spanish newspaper ABC. However, the Pope appears to be in good health as he turns 86 on Saturday.
He claimed to have given the letter to Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the then-secretary of state at the Vatican and a survivor of Benedict XVI’s previous papacy. Bertone held the role for around six months after Francis was elected on March 13, 2013.
The Pope has frequently stated that he would step down as head of the 1.3 billion-member Roman Catholic Church if his health deterred.
When asked about the idea of creating a formal standard for situations where a pope was hampered by illness or an accident, Francis said, “I have already signed my resignation letter. Tarcisio Bertone was Secretary of State. I signed it and I told him: ‘In case of an impediment for medical reasons or whatever, here is my resignation.
“You have it. I don’t know to whom Cardinal Bertone may have given it, but I gave it to him when he was Secretary of State,” he said, stating that it was the first time he was announcing it publicly.
In a July interview with Reuters, Francis shot down rumours that his resignation was imminent and reaffirmed his frequently stated stance that he might step down at some point if his deteriorating health made it impossible for him to lead the Church, This was practically unheard of before Benedict XVI, now 95, became the first pope to resign in 2013.
The pope could not make a certain trip in July due to his knee issue. He now takes small walks with a cane and more indoor distances in a wheelchair.
