In a recent interview, Pope Francis has revealed that he has already signed a letter of resignation that would be used if he were to become “impaired.” The pontiff made the remark in an interview with Spanish news channel ABC, which aired on Sunday.
When asked what would happen if he were to unexpectedly become unable to carry out his responsibilities owing to illness or an accident, the Roman Catholic leader replied: “I have already signed my renunciation. The Secretary of State at the time was Tarcisio Bertone. I signed it and said: ‘If I should become impaired for medical reasons or whatever, here is my renunciation.”
“I don’t know who Cardinal Bertone has given that letter to, but I handed it to him when he was the Secretary of State,” Francis added.
Paul VI and Pope Pius XII, according to Francis, had also written their letters of renunciation in the case of a permanent impairment.
Francis’ move comes 9 years after Pope Benedict XVI, his immediate predecessor, shocked the Catholic world by announcing his resignation from the office, claiming “old age” as the cause.
