As the Catholic Herald recently reported, rumours continue to abound about Pope Francis’ future after the Holy Father recently told reporters he can no longer travel like he once did, and one day may have to retire. Pope Francis repeated a phrase - “the door is open” – adding that there was nothing wrong with a Pope stepping down. Returning from Canada, the Pope said: “It’s not strange. It’s not a catastrophe. You can change the Pope.”
This is not the first time the Pope has used such rhetoric, not least in reference to his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI. Last month, speaking with Reuters, the Pope said he might resign if poor health made it impossible to continue. The Associated Press also reported that Pope Francis said he would not live in the Vatican or return to Argentina if and when he retires, during an interview with TelevisaUnivision. While denying he was planning to retire anytime soon, the Pontiff said the “the door is open” after Benedict XVI had stepped down.
