Pope Francis reveals that he signed a letter of resignation in case his health fails

The Pope Francisco first revealed in an interview on Sunday to a Spanish newspaper that he signed a letter of resignation nearly a decade ago in case ill health prevents him from carrying out his duties.

Franciscowho turned 86 on Saturday, had already said he would step down from the papacy if health problems prevent him from doing his job.

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“I have already signed my resignation in case of medical impediment”, he said in an interview with the Spanish newspaper ABC.

Francisco explained that signed the letter and delivered it in 2013 to the then Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertonebefore he retired.

“I signed it and told him: ‘In case of impediment due to medical reasons or whatever, here is my resignation. They already have it’”, explained the potato.

Asked by the interviewer if he wanted this fact to be known, Francisco He replied: “That’s why I tell you.”

Francisco has difficulty walking due to an inoperable knee problem that has forced him to use a wheelchair in recent months.

He has also had to cancel or reduce his activities several times in the last year due to the pain.

In an interview in July recognized that he needed to slow down. “I think that at my age and with this limitation, I have to preserve myself a little to be able to serve the church. Or, alternatively, think about the possibility of stepping aside, ”he said then.

The predecessor of FranciscoBenedict XVI resigned in 2013 due to health problems. He now he lives in Vatican City.

In the interview, the pontiff also said that he planned to travel to Marseille next year to participate in a meeting of archbishops, the date of which has not yet been specified.

“Maybe next year I will go to Marseilles for the Mediterranean Meeting”, assured. He specified, however, that it would not be an official visit of the Vatican’s head of state in France.

“I was in Strasbourg, but not for France, but to visit the institutions of the European Union” in 2014, he recalled.

Source: Elcomercio

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I am Jack Morton and I work in 24 News Recorder. I mostly cover world news and I have also authored 24 news recorder. I find this work highly interesting and it allows me to keep up with current events happening around the world.