The resignation of a pope "
must not become a fashion
," said Pope Francis in an interview published Thursday, assuring that a renunciation was "not
on his agenda for the moment
".
In an interview with 82 Congolese Jesuits published Thursday by the journal Civilta cattolica, the Argentine pope confirmed that he had written a letter of renunciation, two months after his election in March 2013, in the event of a "health problem" preventing him
from
exercising his ministry.
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No reason to quit
"
However, this does not mean at all that the resignation of the popes should become, let's say, a fashion, a normal thing
", qualified Francis during this interview carried out on February 2 during his visit to Kinshasa.
“
Benedict XVI had the courage to do it, because he did not want to continue because of his health.
It's not on my agenda at the moment.
I believe that the ministry of the pope is ad vitam.
I see no reason for it not to be so
,” he added, judging that “
historical tradition is important
”.
Read alsoFuneral of Benedict XVI: in Rome, some observers prophesy “zones of turbulence”
"
If, on the other hand, we listen to the chatter, we should change popes every six months!"
“, he continued in reference to certain criticisms of his governance, against a backdrop of tensions within the Church.
Speculation around a possible waiver of Jorge Bergoglio, 86, who now moves in a wheelchair, has redoubled in intensity in recent months.
Pope Francis, who will mark his 10th anniversary next month, had so far left "
the door open
" to a renunciation similar to that of his predecessor Benedict XVI, who took the whole world by surprise.
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