As Pope Francis continues his recovery from a severe case of pneumonia, discussions surrounding his health have sparked speculation about a potential resignation, though it remains unclear whether this will happen. Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, the former head of the Vatican’s department of cultural affairs, has raised the possibility, especially as the Pope battles pneumonia in both lungs.
In an interview with the Italian radio network RTL, Cardinal Ravasi commented on the Pope’s decisive nature and hinted that if his health prevents him from fulfilling his role as leader of the Roman Catholic Church, he may choose to step down. “I think he could do it because he is a person who is quite decisive in his choices,” Ravasi said. “He has always had the tendency to fight and react and that is a legitimate choice too, because he has been able to handle trips in very difficult and challenging conditions, like the one in the Far East.” The Cardinal pointed to the Pope’s resilience, particularly during his strenuous 20,000-mile trip to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor, and Singapore last year.
Despite these signs of determination, Ravasi noted that the Pope could reconsider his position if his health restricted his ability to communicate effectively. “If he found himself in a situation where he was compromised in his ability to have direct contact – as he loves to do – to be able to communicate in an immediate, incisive and decisive way, then I believe he might consider resigning,” Ravasi explained.
The Pope’s health condition has been closely monitored since he was admitted to the hospital with severe breathing difficulties last Friday. The Vatican reports that the Pope has shown slight improvement, with stable vital signs and no fever. He has even managed to get out of bed, eat breakfast, and resume some of his work activities. According to the Vatican press office, “He is apyretic and hemodynamic parameters continue to be stable,” and the Pope received the Eucharist during his stay.
Cardinal Matteo Zupi, the Archbishop of Bologna, expressed confidence in the Pope’s recovery, describing his ability to eat, read the papers, and meet people as signs that his health is improving. “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,” Zupi said.
Although the Vatican has indicated that the Pope’s condition remains complex, there have been reassurances from various figures, including the Pope’s close advisor, Antonio Spadaro. Spadaro has suggested that Pope Francis, much like his predecessor Pope Benedict XVI, might consider resignation if he feels unable to continue leading the Church effectively. “The Pope is a person who, if he thinks that he no longer has the energy to carry the Church forward, would resign,” said Spadaro. However, he also emphasized that the papacy is traditionally a lifelong commitment.
Pope Francis himself has raised the possibility of stepping down due to health concerns in previous interviews. In 2023, during an interview marking the tenth anniversary of his papacy, he acknowledged that he might step aside if he felt physically or mentally unable to lead the world’s 1.3 billion Catholics. “I feel old,” the Pope admitted at the time, reflecting on the challenges he has faced, including the use of a wheelchair due to severe knee pain.
Pope Francis’ health challenges are not new. He had part of his lung removed as a young man and has dealt with a series of health issues over the years, including a recent surgery in 2023 for colon inflammation. Despite these challenges, the Pope has continued his ministry with great dedication.
While there is no official statement about a potential resignation, the ongoing discussions reflect the uncertainty surrounding the Pope’s future role. As his health improves, it remains to be seen whether Pope Francis will choose to continue leading the Church or if he might follow the example of Pope Benedict XVI, who resigned in 2013, making him the first pope to voluntarily step down in over 700 years. Only time will tell what the Pope’s decision will be as he continues his recovery.
