Pope Francis Clarifies Rumors of Retirement in New Memoir
Pope Francis has clarified her has no intention of retiring and plans to remain in post for life.
According to his new autobiography, life: my story through history, Pope Francis, who is 87, says there is no risk of him resigning despite speculation he might step down following a spate of health issues.
Earlier this year, Francis cancelled meetings and audiences due to ill health.
He has suffered from frequent bouts of influenza, has difficult walking and is increasingly seen using a wheelchair.
Despite denying he is considering retirement, in his memoir Francis says that if he was forced to step down due to serious physical impediment he would move to the basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore to serve as confessor and give communion to the sick.
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Last year, he allowed priests to bless same-sex couples, a significant advance for LGBT people in the Roman Catholic Church, and said transgender people can be baptized as long as doing so does not cause scandal or confusion.
In November, Pope Francis also evicted conservative US Cardinal Raymond Burke, an outspoken critic, from his Vatican apartment and revoked his salary.
In the book, the Pope actively discusses major international political issues such as the migration crisis, global conflicts, and the European Union.
Francis also dwells on more personal matters. In one section, he talks about a very sweet girlfriend from his youth, and about a small crush he had when he was already studying to become a priest. She was on my mind for a week and praying was hard, Francis writes. Then luckily it passed, and I gave body and soul to my vocation.
In another chapter, Francis – a lifelong football fan – discusses meeting Argentina football player Diego Maradona and talking about his infamous handball, dubbed the Hand of God.
The Vatican has always been a source of palace intrigue both for Catholics and non-Catholics alike, so anytime the curtain is pulled it draws attention, Christopher White, a Vatican observer who writes for the US-based publication National Catholic Reporter, told the BBC.
Mr White said that although Francis speaks about the world and the Church often, very rarely do we hear him speak so much about who he is.
