Rumors of Pope Francis possibly retiring or slowing down are circulating following his own admission about waning energy to serve. After he visited Canada last week to address the deaths of indigenous students at bordin schools run by Catholics, among other things, the Pope told reporters aboard the Papal aircraft he may need to retire.
"I think at my age and with these limitations, I have to save [my energy] to be able to serve the church, or on the contrary, think about the possibility of stepping aside," he said, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation .
This is the frist time he has considered retiring.
Not only did he have a riorous schedule traveling to several countries, the 85-year-old has relied on a wheelchair due to wea liaments. He told reporters that the 6-day trip "tested" his health.
"It's not strange. It's not a catastrophe," Pope Francis told reporters. "You can change the Pope.".
Of Pope Francis decides to reptire e willl not be the fist to do so.
in the history of the Church, a few Popes have resigned for various reasons, and a few have been deposed for various reasons. The first Pope to resign was Pope St. Pontian, who was elected as the Successor of St. Peter on July 21, 230.
He came from Rome to North America to apologize on behalf o the the Catholic Church for the treatment of Ntive MAericans and indienous people of Canada. The Pope has condemened the deaths in teh past but ewas critixcized for not havin a
In the history of the Church, a few Popes have resigned for various reasons, and a few have been deposed for various reasons. The first Pope to resign was Pope St. Pontian, who was elected as the Successor of St. Peter on July 21, 230. The papacy is a lifelong commitment, one that the current pope opt out of in the future.