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

PHOTOS: A timeline of Pope Francis’ 11 years as pope

March 13 marks the anniversary of the election of Pope Francis as the 266th successor of St. Peter.

Patriarchates of Jerusalem: Forced evacuation of Gaza City is a ‘death sentence’

In a joint message released Aug. 26, the Latin and the Greek Orthodox Patriarchates of Jerusalem denounced the evacuation of Gaza City in the face of an imminent Israeli operation as “a death sentence.“

Spanish origins of Pope Leo XIV’s maternal family confirmed

A cathedral archivist has confirmed the Spanish origins of the pontiff’s family on his mother’s side. The canon

Pope Leo XIV sends message to March for Life 2026

The Holy Father assured the pro-life demonstration of his “spiritual closeness.” Pope Leo XIV addressed the 2026 March

Pope Francis In Wednesday Catechesis: The ‘Logic Of Merit’ Does Not Gain Us Heaven

Pope Francis on Wednesday highlighted the need to overcome the “logic of merit” to be a committed follower of Jesus Christ and to trust more in God’s gratuitous love.

Pope tells priests to use their brains, not AI, to write homilies

Here’s what Leo said in a private Q-and-A with priests this week. In a private exchange with priests

LIVE
FROM THE VATICAN

Be present live on EWTNVatican.com