Pope Francis’ illness has sparked intrigue over the possibility of his resignation, with some speculating that he may be considering leaving the papacy due to health concerns.
Two top Vatican officials made a secret visit to see Francis in the hospital, sparking rumors about the meeting. However, the Vatican attributed it to securing the pope’s signature for assembling cardinals to approve new saints.
Veterans of the Vatican say the meeting raised alarm bells, as neither official worked on canonization issues and both were not involved in the original discussion about Francis’ resignation. The visit echoes Benedict XVI’s announcement of his resignation at the same consistory meeting a decade ago.
Francis has been out of the public eye for nearly two weeks due to medical reports about his health crisis. While his supporters emphasize focusing on his health, others believe he may be using unpredictability as a governing style to keep the Vatican bureaucracy off balance.
The possibility of resignation is not new at the Vatican, and Francis himself has often participated in speculation. However, with gray areas in church law regarding what happens if a pontiff loses consciousness or becomes incapacitated, there are concerns about the bar for resignation.
Cardinals have weighed in on the matter, stating that they would think about the Holy Father’s health and recovery rather than pressure him to resign. The Vatican has reconfirmed their focus on Francis’ well-being and return to the papacy.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/26/world/europe/pope-francis-resignation-illness.html