Pope Francis has said he has no intention of resigning because he believes the Petrine office is for life.
“I believe the Pope’s ministry is ‘ad vitam’ (for life),” the Pontiff told a group of African Jesuit priests. “I see no reason why it should not be so.”
He suggested that the 2012 resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, which precipitated his own election, should not become a trend because it jarred with tradition.
Francis said that although he had prepared a resignation letter for extreme circumstances he did not envisage using it.
The existence of the letter, which was given to Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, ”does not at all mean that resigning popes should become, let’s say, ‘the fashion,’ a normal thing”, the Pope said.
“Benedict had the courage to do it because he did not feel like going on because of his health. I for the moment do not have that on my agenda,” he said.
“Think that the ministry of the great patriarchs is always for life,” the Pope added. “And the historical tradition is important.”
Resignation, he said, “hasn’t crossed my mind”.
The remarks of the Holy Father, made during his visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo but published for the first time this week in La Civilta Cattolica magazine, scotch speculation that he will step down as his health deteriorates.
The 86-year-old has a persistent problem with his knee and often uses a wheelchair and has also had recent intestinal surgery.
Francis made his comments in an address to a group of priests at the apostolic nunciature in Kinshasa, where he was staying during his January 31-February 3 visit.
He scorned gossip and speculation about a possible resignation and said that if such rumours were ever taken seriously then there would be a new pope every six months.
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