Italian Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi said on Thursday that Pope Francis might consider resigning if his health were to deteriorate significantly.
In a radio interview, Ravasi stated that if the pope found himself unable to maintain direct contact with people, he might step down. He described the pope’s condition as complex but not critical.
Similarly, French Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline did not rule out the possibility of the pope resigning, citing speculation that Francis could follow the example of his predecessor, Benedict XVI.
Benedict XVI resigned in 2013 and lived a secluded life in the Vatican until his death at the end of 2022.
Pope Francis has repeatedly dismissed rumours of his possible resignation. However, he previously revealed that he had submitted a signed letter of resignation to the Vatican Secretariat of State at the beginning of his papacy.