Pope Francis has said that ‘in case of medical impediment’ he has already signed his resignation and given it to one of the Vatican cardinals. During an interview given to the Spanish newspaper ABC, the Holy Father responded to the question of what would happen “if a pontiff is suddenly disabled due to health problems or an accident.” “I have already signed my resignation,” Pope Francis replied, adding that he did so when the Vatican Secretary of State was Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone. “I signed it and told him: ‘In case of impediment for medical reasons or whatever it may be, here is my resignation.’ They already have it. I don’t know who Cardinal Bertone gave it to, but I gave it to him when he was Secretary of State,” he said. Andreas Thonhauser, EWTN Vatican Bureau Chief, joins us with more details from Rome. Plus, he shares how the Holy Father celebrated his 86th birthday at the Vatican.
Pope Francis Says He Has Signed His Resignation in New Interview
Receive the most important news from EWTN Vatican via WhatsApp. It has become increasingly difficult to see Catholic news on social media. Subscribe to our free channel today
Share
Would you like to receive the latest updates on the Pope and the Vatican
Receive articles and updates from our EWTN Newsletter.
More news related to this article
EWTN News explains: Why do popes issue papal documents and what are they?
Encyclicals, motu proprios, apostolic constitutions, and exhortations — here is a guide to some of the types of
The Lord of Miracles Procession in Rome
In October, purple fills the streets of Rome, and the sound of Peruvian music and the scent of
Cardinal Zen urges Society of St. Pius X to trust Pope Leo
The 94-year-old Chinese prelate weighed in on the ongoing discussions between the Holy See and the Society of
Pope Francis Celebrates Solemnity of Peter and Paul: Blessing of Palliums and Ecumenical Encounter
Watch as Pope Francis blesses palliums for newly appointed archbishops and meets with a delegation from the Ecumenical
‘Attend to the planet and poor,’ Pope Francis urges college students
In his first encounters with young people ahead of his arrival at World Youth Day later in the
Pope Francis mourns ‘senseless act of violence’ at Nashville Christian school
Pope Francis has expressed his sorrow over a shooting at a private Presbyterian Christian school in Nashville. A