THE Pope could resign if his health gets any worse, according to a cardinal, to become the second in a row to shrug off the papal robes.
Pope Francis, who is 88 years old, is currently in the hospital dealing with double-lung pneumonia. This marks the seventh day of his hospitalization, during which he has reportedly confided concerns in private about the possibility of not surviving.
Now, Gianfranco Ravasi, the Vatican’s former Minister of Culture, has said Francis could abdicate if he felt unable to carry out his role.
According to a cardinal speaking to an Italian radio station RTL, the Pope might consider stepping down from his position if he were to face a scenario where his ability to engage directly with people and communicate effectively was compromised.
Historically, it has been custom for the Pontiff to serve until his death.
However, Pope Benedict XVI, Francis’s immediate predecessor, resigned in 2013 – almost nine years before his eventual death in December 2022.
Other Popes known to have resigned include Gregory XII in 1415, Celestine V in 1294 and Gregory VI in 1046.
Ravasi continued: “Until now, the Pope has chosen to continue his activity even when he has had knee problems, for example.
During a previous challenging situation, the Pope mentioned the famous quote emphasizing the importance of using the mind over forceful tactics in governance. He has always demonstrated a resilient and determined nature when faced with adversity.
If Francis did relinquish his duties, the Church would enter a period called “sede vancante”, where the papal post is empty.
The College of Cardinals would then gather for conclave to elect a new Pope – the same as if Francis had died.
The Vatican shared this morning that Francis had had a “restful night” and “got out of bed and had breakfast in an armchair”.
And last night, press officers said the Pontiff’s condition was “stable” and that blood tests showed “a slight improvement”, particularly in his inflammation levels.
It was also revealed he was visited for 20 minutes by Giorgia Meloni, Italy’s Prime Minister, and attended to some work with close aides.
The country’s leader said she wanted to bring get-well wishes to the pope on behalf of the government and entire nation.
A statement from her office read: “We joked around as always. He has not lost his proverbial sense of humour.”
Yesterday, it was reported that rehearsals for the Pope’s funeral were underway.
The Swiss Guard – the force tasked with protecting the Pope – has been practising the funeral procedure and is reportedly “preparing for the pontiff’s death”, reported Swiss newspaper Blick.
But Cardinal Matteo Zupi, head of Italy’s Catholic bishops and the Archbishop of Bologna, said he was sure that Francis would pull through.
Speaking at a church event in Bologna, he said: “The fact that the Pope had breakfast, read the papers [and] met people indicates that we are heading in the right direction for a full recovery that we hope will happen soon.”
The Pope has been staying in a special ward in Rome’s Gemelli hospital since Friday, where he was admitted after a week of suffering from bronchitis.
The Vatican revealed on Monday that he was battling a “complex clinical picture” which involved a “polymicrobial infection of the respiratory tract”.
Officials clarified on Tuesday that he has been diagnosed with pneumonia in both lungs.
Then, two people close to the Pontiff claimed Francis had confided to them that he “might not make it this time”, according to a report by Politico.
The sources also apparently said the Pope was suffering from intense pain and is “tying up loose ends” ahead of his successor.
There had been hope that the Pope would pull through after a Vatican update on Monday announced his condition was “stable”, and that he was “free from fever”.
But the confirmation of double-lung pneumonia and Francis’s reported pessimism over his outlook have cast a gloomy shadow on Catholics worldwide.
As his health has deteriorated, Francis has moved to appoint certain figures to key posts who – he hopes – will continue his mission for progressive reform of the Church, according to the politics website.
One source told Politico the Pope tactically extended the term of one figure – Giovanni Battista Re – as dean of the College of Cardinals before being admitted to hospital.
This is the role that will oversee conclave when the next Pope is selected.
Francis’s intervention was apparently controversial as it bypassed a scheduled vote on the position in order to ensure the voting process plays out as he wants.
Re is too old to vote, but insiders said he would be able to influence the lobbying that goes on during the secret discussions in the Sistine Chapel.
How will the next Pope be chosen?
By Patrick Harrington, foreign news reporter
If the Pope dies his passing must first be confirmed by the Chamberlain of the Catholic church – in the presence of the Papal Master of Ceremonies and other officials.
The Chamberlain then informs the cardinal vicar for Rome, who passes the news onto the city and the world.
After nine days of mourning, during which time the Pope is buried, the task of choosing a new leader arises.
All 252 cardinals will be summoned to Rome from around the world for the Papal election, called Conclave.
The new Pope is decided by a vote, which can be participated in by up to 115 cardinals.
The number is whittled down by excluding any cardinals over 80.
There are secret discussions between the cardinals about who would be a good successor.
Then voting begins in the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel – and continues until a consensus is reached.
However, if there is still no consensus after 12 days, then a new Pope can be appointed with more than 50 per cent of the votes.
Locals are kept updated on the process by twice-daily plumes of smoke coming from the chapel.
Black smoke means the vote is still being deliberated, and when white smoke appears it means a decision has been reached.
