Pope: I may withdraw – but not at present.
Pope Francis has said that the time may soon come when he has to consider resigning – which he would do if he felt that his health could not serve him as it should.
He made the comments at the end of a trip to Canada – where he apologized to indigenous people – that included long journeys and long days.
The 85-year-old pope stressed that for now he intends to continue his duties – and will be guided by God when to step down, if at all. “It is not a catastrophe to change the Pope, it is not a taboo,” he told reporters from a wheelchair.
“The door [to retirement] is open – it’s a normal option. But to this day I have not knocked on that door. I haven’t felt the need to think about this possibility – it doesn’t mean that in a couple of days I might not start thinking about it,” he added.
In recent months, Pope Francis has had ongoing problems with his knee that have affected his mobility. He spent most of the visit in a wheelchair.