Pope Francis prays by a Nativity Scene during the weekly general audience on December 14, 2022
Pope Francis revealed for the first time in an interview on Sunday that he had signed a resignation letter nearly a decade ago should poor health prevent him from carrying out his duties.
Francis who turned 86 on Saturday has said in the past that he would step down from the papacy should health problems keep him from his duties.
In a Spanish newspaper ABC, the pontiff said he signed his resignation letter and handed it over to the Vaticans secretary of state, Tarcisio Bertone, before that cardinals retirement in 2013. I signed the resignation and I told him, In case of medical impediment or whatever, heres my resignation. You have it, the pope said. He added that he didnt know what Bertone subsequently did with the letter.
Francis has been limited in his ability to walk by an inoperable knee condition which has forced him to rely on a wheelchair in recent months.
The Pope has had to cancel or curtail activities several times over the past year because of pain and in an interview in July he acknowledged that he needed to slow down. I think that at my age and with this limitation, I have to save myself a little bit to be able to serve the Church. Or, alternatively, to think about the possibility of stepping aside, he said.
Franciss predecessor, Benedict XVI, who quit over failing health in 2013, now lives quietly in Vatican City.
