Hmm. On the one hand, this could be the Catholic Church's loss, and that of the world. On the other hand, the man is seventy-eight years old... Prior to Benedict XVI, the last resignation the church saw of a sitting Pope was in the Middle Ages. If this is to become established practice, I'm not at all sure it would be a bad thing, and do wonder how much this is/may be a reaction to the way John Paul II so publicly and painfully dragged out his papacy to the last moments of his life. The Catholic Church has always spun this as a positive, as further evidence of JP's commitment to 'the sanctity of life', but I'm not so sure it helped the church or its image, or how effective a leader JP could have been towards the end. Far better I think if JP had handed over power earlier to a more able leader, and been able to face his struggles in a more private and dignified manner. But that just's my opinion of course.
Pope Francis has suggested he may resign his papacy like his predecessor, rather than remain at the Vatican for life.
The pontiff made the comments during a interview with Mexican television, marking the second anniversary of his election.
"I have the feeling that my pontificate will be brief. Four or five years; I do not know, even two or three," he said.
He praised Pope Benedict's decision to step aside in 2013 as "courageous".
"Benedict should not be considered an exception, but an institution. Maybe he will be the only one for a long time, maybe he will not be the only one.
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