Pope Francis assured that “the door is open” to his possible resignation from the pontificate, although he has not yet thought regarding that possibility, adding that it would not be “a catastrophe”, during the press conference on the return flight from his six day trip to canada.
The Argentine pontiff addressed this issue on several occasions during the press conference, as well as his physical limitations. This is because he has to move in a wheelchair due to his knee problem that prevents him from walking and standing for a long time, as has happened in Canada.
That is why he admitted, on this occasion, not standing as usual, but sitting in a chair before the journalists, that he does not think he can continue “with the same rhythm of the trips before.”
“At my age and with this limitation I have to save my strength a little to be able to serve the Church” or “on the contrary, think regarding the possibility of stepping aside,” he said during a press conference more than 45 minutes following the hard day in which he traveled from Quebec to Iqualuit to meet with the Inuit population.
The Pope has denied on several occasions, especially following the insistent rumors regarding a possible resignation, that he has thought regarding the possibility of leaving office. But this Saturday he made it clear that it is one of the options for the future, following the example of Pope Benedict XVI, who resigned from the pontificate in February 2013, assuring that he lacked the strength.
The Pope left the door open to his possible resignation and assured that it would not be a catastrophe
«The door is open and it is one of the options. But so far I haven’t knocked on this door. I have not felt this possibility yet, but this does not mean that tomorrow I will not start thinking regarding it », he reiterated.
And he stressed that “it would not be something strange” or “a catastrophe.”
“You can change the Pope, there is no problem,” he added.
Francis also explained that any kind of decision will be “the will of the Lord.” “If the Lord tells you that you have to go to the corner, you go to the corner,” he pointed out and added “that he has not yet felt that call.”
Regarding his knee pain, he explained that although the doctors say that he might operate, he will not do it because he has a problem with the anesthesia. He, well, he was affected during the operation on the colon in July of last year and he still has “some effects.” “You don’t mess with anesthesia and that’s why you think (the operation) isn’t convenient,” he said.
He assured that he will continue trying to travel “because it is a way of being close to people and it is a way of serving.” And that the trips to South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo are still pending, “but next year.”
Regarding the possible trip to Ukraine, he reiterated that “he wants to go” but added: “we will see what I find when I get home.” This in reference to how the organization of the possible visit to kyiv proceeds. While he did confirm that he will be able to be in Kazakhstan “because it is a quiet trip” for the congress on religions to be held on September 14 and 15.
