Skip to content

Pope Francis Says He Has Signed His Resignation in New Interview

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.

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

Lateran Holy Door opens as Rome’s jubilee journey continues

On the feast of the Holy Family, Cardinal Baldassare Reina opened the Holy Door at Rome’s Basilica of St. John Lateran

Women are ‘builders of humanity,’ Pope Francis says in conference address

On the day before International Women’s Day, Pope Francis addressed participants of the international conference “Women in the

Black smoke rises from Sistine Chapel as first conclave vote ends without new pope

Black smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel chimney Wednesday evening to the watchful eyes of pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square as the first day of conclave voting concluded without a new pontiff.

Pope Francis Appoints Religious Under-secretary of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Holy See

Pope Francis has appointed the new under-secretary of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See (APSA)

‘Pray with the Pope’: Leo XIV proposes monthly prayer for the challenges of the world

The Vatican’s Dicastery for Communication has launched a new prayer campaign in which Pope Leo XIV invites Catholics

LIVE
FROM THE VATICAN

Be present live on EWTNVatican.com