SAO PAULO, SP (UOL // Folhapress) – O, 88, has ready a letter in which it renounces the position of leader of the Catholic Church if his health prevents him from staying at the post.
Pope Francis signed the letter about ten years ago. It was the Pontiff himself that confirmed the existence of the document in an interview with the Spanish newspaper ABC in December 2022.
Letter is in possession of Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin. “I signed the resignation and said to him: ‘In case of medical impediment or something, here is my resignation. You have it, ‘”said Francisco.
At the time, Francis said that he was not afraid that the world knows the existence of his letter of resignation. “That’s why I’m counting, so they know,” he said, noting not knowing what Parolin did with the document.
Holy Father’s health became worldwide news and worries the Vatican after he needs to be hospitalized due to bilateral pneumonia. Francisco was hospitalized on February 14 at the Gemelli Hospital in Rome, having difficulty breathing.
Vatican reported that the Pope’s health and he had no fever anymore. “The clinical condition of the Holy Father is improving slightly. It is apirical and its hemodynamic parameters remain stable. This morning, he received the Eucharist and then dedicated himself to work activities, ”says the statement issued by the Santa See press office,” on Thursday (20).
Canceled agenda
Pope’s agenda is canceled until Sunday (23). At first, the Holy See had canceled Francisco’s agenda until Wednesday, but yesterday announced the cancellation of his Jubilee audience on Saturday (22) and said that the Pope would not preside over Sunday’s mass.
This is the Pope’s fourth hospitalization since assuming the pontificate in 2013. Francisco has a history of breathing problems.
In recent months, Pontiff has suffered two falls at his Vatican residence. In December, he hit his chin at the bedside table, and in January, he injured his right arm, needing to immobilize him as a precaution. In addition, it has chronic knee pains that force you to use wheelchair or cane on occasion.
