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The pope, 85, denied he planned to retire but said the “door has been open” since his predecessor Benedict XVI became the first pope to step down in 600 years, stepping down in 2013. Pope Francis said he wasn’t in the Vatican or return to his native country during an interview with broadcaster TelevisaUnivision.
He said he would “maybe” to live in Rome’s Basilica of St. John Lateran, the traditional seat of the city’s bishops.
Pope Francis added, “I am the Bishop of Rome, in this case the Bishop Emeritus of Rome.”
There are rumors that a combination of events in August, including discussions about a new Vatican constitution, a ceremony to introduce new cardinals and a visit to the Italian city of L’Aquila, could mean a resignation announcement.
L’Aquila is associated with Pope Celestine V, who abdicated the papacy in 1294. Pope Benedict XVI visited the city four years before his resignation.
Pope Francis attends 10th World Meeting of Families, closing Mass in St. Peter’s Square (Image: Getty)
Pope Francis leads a Holy Mass for the Congolese community in Rome (Image: Getty)
The Pope also had to cancel a trip to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan to continue therapy and rest for his right knee.
However, Pope Francis laughed off the rumors earlier this month, saying: “All these coincidences made some think the same ‘liturgy’ was going to happen.
“But it never crossed my mind. Not for a while, not for a while. Really!”
Pope Francis told TelevisaUnivision that he planned to retire before being elected in 2013.
Pope Francis leaves the basilica by wheelchair after Mass (Image: Getty)
Pope Benedict XVI leads Ash Wednesday service at St. Peter’s Basilica (Image: Getty)
He said he had arranged a flat in Buenos Aires where he would continue to hear confessions at a nearby church and visit the sick in the hospital.
The Pope said: “This is what I thought for Buenos Aires. I think this scenario if I survive to my resignation – it is possible that I will die earlier – I would like something similar.”
Benedict XVI took the title Pope Emeritus when he retired, citing a lack of physical and mental strength.
According to reports, some cardinals and canonical jurists have since questioned the fact that Benedict still wears the Pope’s white cassock and keeps his papal name rather than reverting to his first name, Joseph Ratzinger.
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Pope Francis leaves St. Peter’s Basilica (Image: Getty)
Pope Francis said of Benedict XVI’s resignation: “The first experience went quite well because he is a holy and discreet man, and he has handled it well.
“But there should be more clarity in the future.”
“I think he gets 10 points for taking the first step after so many centuries. It’s a miracle.”
As to whether Catholic politicians who support abortion rights should continue to receive the sacraments, Francis said it’s a matter of conscience they need to resolve for themselves.
US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi attends Mass with her husband Paul Pelosi (Image: Getty)
While the Catholic Church is against abortion, Francis added that priests and bishops should remain pastors.
He said, “When a pastor loses the pastoral dimension, he creates a political problem.”
Pope Francis referred to the debate in the United States about President Joe Biden and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who are both Catholics and advocates of abortion rights.
Bishops in the US considered reprimanding Mr Biden for supporting abortion rights, but declined to formally reprimand.
Mrs. Pelosi’s bishop, San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone, forbade her to receive communion in his archdiocese.
Recently, however, she received communion during a papal mass at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican.
When asked what Catholic politicians should do, Francis said, “I leave it up to their conscience and let them talk to their bishop, their pastor, their pastor, about this inconsistency.”
Additional reporting by Maria Ortega