Pope Francis battles pneumonia amid speculation of abdication
Pope Francis has been in the hospital for over two weeks due to pneumonia. The media is increasingly questioning his health and the possibility of abdication. His biographer, Austen Ivereigh, spoke to CNN about when resignation might occur.
Pope Francis has been staying for over two weeks at the Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome. Doctors are treating bilateral pneumonia. Due to his illness, numerous speculations have arisen. Some observers claim that the Holy Father may follow Benedict XVI and step down from his position due to his poor health. His biographer, Austen Ivereigh, commented.
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, meaning that the pope would step down upon reaching a certain age or due to poor health. The commentator has no doubts 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 Pope Francis' pontificate, believes that the pope is currently focused on navigating the crisis and ensuring the jubilee is completed. However, as he approaches his 89th birthday, he will need to reflect on whether he can still lead the Church.
The Catholic Church is celebrating the jubilee associated with the birth of Jesus. In Vatican City, this celebration occurs every 25 years.
Ivereigh emphasizes that Pope Francis must decide and cannot be subjected to compulsion and pressure. In the past, he has said that his pontificate will last until the end of his life and that he has no plans to resign. Archbishop Paul Gallagher, the Vatican's foreign minister, has 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 set to vote on canonization matters. The meeting was nearing its end when Joseph Ratzinger announced his decision in Latin. The cardinals were incredulous.
Rumours of Francis' resignation intensified when the pope himself convened a meeting with the cardinals. The date has yet to be determined, but he did so while in the hospital, where he was visited by the most important hierarchs in the Vatican.
