Pope Francis, leader of the Catholic Church, gave an interview to the Spanish media ABC, where he spoke about various topics and revealed that he has already signed his resignation in case of having any impediment due to medical reasons.
This news has surprised many, but the Supreme Pontiff affirms that it has already happened in the past, since Paul VI and, apparently, Pius XII also did it.
Pope Francis has been known for being very open with the media, since he has no problem addressing different issues, no matter how controversial they may be. He has now referred to what would happen if he were, at some point, to be unable to continue his work at the head of the Church due to health problems.
I have already signed my resignation. It was Tarcisio Bertone, the Secretary of State. I signed it and told him: ‘In case of impediment due to medical reasons or whatever, here is my resignation. They already have it’. I don’t know who Cardinal Bertone gave it to, but I gave it to him when he was Secretary of State.
The Vicar of Christ mentioned that it was the first time that he had made this information known and that he was saying it precisely so that it would be disseminated. The pope even joked when he said, between laughs, that some other will want to make his resignation effective.
Now someone will go to ask Bertone for it: ‘Give me the piece of paper!’ He surely handed it over to Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the new Secretary of State. I gave it to Bertone as Secretary of State.
When asked about any advice he would give his successors, the pope, who just turned 86, limited himself to replying that he would warn them not to make the mistakes he made.
I would tell them not to make the mistakes that I did, period and nothing more. Yes there are, yes.