Pope Francis hopes for the grace to know when to quit

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I don’t see Pope Francis resigning as Pope, probably ever. Unlike Pope Benedict XVI, Pope Francis seems to enjoy being Pope and the responsibilities/perks that come with the job. Based on various accounts of him from his past before he became Pope and the rumors that have come out of the Vatican since his election, he does not seem like the type of person that would voluntarily relinquish power. I think he will want to hang on as long as he possibly can so he can advance his agenda. Also, to appoint as many Cardinals as he possibly can.
 
tseleehw said:
Unlike Pope Benedict XVI, Pope Francis seems to enjoy being Pope and the responsibilities/perks that come with the job.
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As he ages, his health could change that. But I certainly hope it won’t, I pray for a long, healthy life for him as he continues to model Jesus for us.
 
I don’t like the idea of popes quitting. Ideally the incumbent should stay in office until they pass into death. This system has worked for a long time, the people get a lesson in their own mortality.

It wasn’t easy watching John Paul II get very sick and die, but on the other hand, my father was the same age with parkinsons and he passed as well. For centuries, plenty of popes have died of the ailments of old age, and the Church dealt with it.
 
Augustinian said:
I don’t like the idea of popes quitting. Ideally the incumbent should stay in office until they pass into death. This system has worked for a long time, the people get a lesson in their own mortality.

It wasn’t easy watching John Paul II get very sick and die, but on the other hand, my father was the same age with parkinsons and he passed as well. For centuries, plenty of popes have died of the ailments of old age, and the Church dealt with it.
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This is true. St. John Paul II showed us how to really die with dignity.

However, as an important lesson as that was, I think a lot of Cardinals don’t want to see another sick pope because it slows the business of the Church inside the Vatican.
 
adgloriam said:
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TigerLily-1:
Pope Francis saying ‘he hopes he knows when the right time to step down’ has really surprised me! I wonder whether Popes retiring will become standard in the future?
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They won’t. They are steadfast. Benedict XVI resigned because the church itself was in dire need.
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the Church was in dire need for what? i loved Pope Benedict XVI. he was Pope when i decided to become Catholic. i was very sad and disappointed when he stepped down. i saw how frail Pope John Paul II became and it was painful to watch him, but i didn’t think Pope Benedict XVI had the health problems as severe as JPII. i agree once the Popes reach their 80’s it is a demanding schedule to keep. i am 66 and already see my physical and mental limitations.
 
I don’t like it because it will inevitably lead to more politicking, with individuals/groups within the college putting pressure on a sitting Pope to resign so their preferred candidate can have a shot, etc. (I’m not one of those conspiracy theorists that maintains this happened already, just that eventually it would probably happen if we have a system that practically invites it.)
 
I hope he’s not being pressured from the conservative bishops to resign.
 
People live longer with infirmity now than they used to . I see it in the nursing home all the time. Mobility problems and cognitive decline cause the need for supportive care and supervision for a long time between the onset of disability and death.
Trying to carry on a ministry would be too much to ask.
 
Will never happen. A Pope cannot bind a future pope in matters of government the Church.
 
I do think it will become the norm for Pope’s to resign when their health starts to fail.
 
I heard that Pope Francis is struggling with some sort of back pain. Not sure, though.
 
I am sure any future resignation/retirement will be sufficiently formal and well documented that a pope emeritus can’t just “come back.” At this point, Benedict XVI has no more claim on the Chair than any other bishop, and the sims will be true of any living former popes in the future.
 
0Scarlett_nidiyilii said:
Trying to carry on a ministry would be too much to ask.
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Popes have plenty of underlings and aides to assist them. It isn’t like they are all alone.

There is no reason why someone else in the Vatican couldn’t say Christmas Mass if they pope was too ill to even attend.
 
Pope Francis has been adamant in changing the Church to reflect his point of view. This is still his time and his chance. He seems healthy, and there are still yet things that he wants to accomplish. So, I can not see why he would resign anytime soon. He had said he did not watch TV. Now, he has been on TV talking about himself, and promoting his personal viewpoints.

The Vicar of Christ is the shepherd of the Church. He is also the vanguard, promoter, and defender of the Magisterium and the teachings of Christ. The faithful looks up to the successor of Peter for moral clarity and guidance of the Catholic faith.
 
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May God continue to bless Pope Francis with strength and fortitude… good health and long life… and the Holy Spirit as his guiding light.

Pope Francis has been a great gift to the Church!!
 
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