Skip to content

Spanish Bishops: Conditions For Pope Francis To Resign Are Not Met

Bishop Francisco César García Magán, spokesman for the Spanish Bishops’ Conference, believes the conditions for Pope Francis' resignation, despite his 14-day hospitalization, have not been met.

The secretary-general and spokesman for the Spanish Bishops’ Conference (CEE, by its Spanish acronym), Bishop Francisco César García Magán, expressed his conviction that the conditions for the resignation of Pope Francis, who has been hospitalized for 14 days due to health problems, have not been met.

Asked at the end of the meeting of the conference’s standing committee, García explained that the resignation of the pontiff is provided for in Canon 332.2 of the Code of Canon Law, with the only requirement that “it be free and be formally expressed.”

García also pointed out that it is public knowledge that in 2013, the year he became pope, Francis gave the then-Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, “a signed letter with his formal resignation in case of impediment.”

“I signed it and told him: ‘In case of impediment due to medical reasons or whatever, here is my resignation. You 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,” the pontiff revealed to the Spanish newspaper ABC in 2022.

The CEE spokesman pointed out in this regard that “these conditions are not being met because the impediment to which the pope was referring was when it is linked to a mental limitation, a mental impediment. What the pope has now are illnesses typical of age.”

“As he has said on occasion, the Church is not governed with the knees but with the head, with the help of the Holy Spirit,” added the prelate, who, after the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, considered that, if Pope Francis made the same decision, “it would not be new.”

The bishops’ spokesman also stressed that “we are not in a pre-conclave period; far from it” and made an appeal to the people of God to “intensify prayer for the healing of this pope” and to do so “with affection and communion.”

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.

SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER HERE

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

Christians Endure Mounting Threats in the Holy Land Amid Conflict

Abbot Nikodemus Schnabel Speaks on the Challenges of Staying in Jerusalem

Pope Francis speaks with Zelenskyy about peace efforts in Ukraine

Pope Francis spoke by telephone with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy three days after Christmas to discuss peace efforts to end the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war, according to a video message Zelenskyy posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Crossing the Tiber: Modern Conversion Stories at EWTN’s Roman Nights

A Comprehensive Reflection at EWTN’s Roman Nights on Personal Journeys of Faith Amidst Modernity

Ecumenism, opportunities towards the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea

Before Easter, a delegation from the Ecumenical Council of Churches visited the Vatican.

Pope Francis To Teaching Sisters: Leave ‘Vinegar Faces’ Behind, Embrace Joy

Pointing to the perils of pastoral pessimism, Pope Francis urged a congregation of teaching sisters on Saturday to cultivate joy in their ministry, warning them that stern countenances drive people away from the faith.

Bartholomew I in Rome: The Consistory, the Vigil, the Divine Liturgy

Ecumenical Patriarch's Historic Visit to Rome and His Message on Synodality and Ecumenism

LIVE
FROM THE VATICAN

Be present live on EWTNit