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Pope Francis signed a letter of resignation in 2013 for use in case he was compelled from his duties on account of dangerous well being.
“I’ve already signed my resignation. Tarcisio Bertone was Secretary of State. I signed it and I advised him: ‘In case of obstacle for medical causes or no matter, right here is my resignation,’” the Pope mentioned throughout a 2022 interview, in accordance with a report on the time from the New York Submit.
The resurfaced interview comes as Francis has been hospitalized for over per week and was reported to be in crucial situation after struggling an asthmatic respiratory disaster on Saturday, in accordance with a report from the Related Press.
POPE FRANCIS HAD PEACEFUL NIGHT’S REST AT HOSPITAL FOLLOWING RESPIRATORY CRISIS, VATICAN SAYS
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Pope Francis speaks throughout the weekly normal viewers on the Paul VI Corridor on Feb. 12, 2025, in Vatican Metropolis. (Vatican Media by way of Vatican Pool/Getty Photographs)
Francis additionally acquired blood transfusions after exams revealed he had a low platelet depend, in accordance with a Reuters report.
Francis, who turned 88 in December, has lengthy confronted questions on what he would do if well being points left him unable to hold out his duties. Such questions would have been exceptional previous to 2013, when Pope Benedict XVI resigned, changing into the primary papal resignation in over 600 years.
Francis revealed throughout the 2022 interview that he gave his resignation letter to the Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, a holdover from Benedict XVI, about six months after being elected to the papacy in March 2013.
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Pope Francis delivers his homily throughout the weekly normal viewers on the Paul VI Corridor on Feb. 12, 2025, in Vatican Metropolis. (Reuters/Ciro De Luca/File Photograph)
POPE FRANCIS SHARES WRITTEN MESSAGE WHILE CONTINUING HOSPITALIZATION
“You may have it. I don’t know to whom Cardinal Bertone might have given it, however I gave it to him when he was secretary of state,” Francis mentioned on the time.Â
As Francis continued his hospitalization in Rome on Sunday, he shared a message thanking those that have stored him of their prayers throughout his well being battle.
“I’ve lately acquired many messages of affection, and I’ve been significantly struck by the letters and drawings from kids,” Pope Francis posted on X Sunday. “Thanks in your closeness, and for the consoling prayers I’ve acquired from everywhere in the world!”Â
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Pope Francis greets individuals throughout the weekly normal viewers on Jan. 10, 2024, in Vatican Metropolis. (Vatican Media by way of Vatican Pool/Getty Photographs)
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“I urge you to proceed your apostolate with pleasure and to be an indication of a love that embraces everybody, because the #GospelOfTheDay suggests,” one other submit mentioned. “Might we rework evil into goodness and construct a fraternal world. Don’t be afraid to take dangers for love!”