Pointing to his predecessor, Benedict XVI, who made history in 2013 when he became the first pope to resign the papacy in 600 years, Pope Francis said Benedict “had the courage to do it because he did not feel up to continuing due to his health.”
“I for the moment do not have that on my agenda,” he said, voicing his belief that “the pope’s ministry is ad vitam (for life). I see no reason why it should not be so.” …
Francis said he also believes the appointment of the head of the Jesuit order, the Father General, should be for life. Traditonally a lifelong appointment, this has changed in recent years, with the past two Jesuit Father Generals stepping down voluntarily.
“On this I am ‘conservative.’ It has to be for life,” he said.
[That should put an end to any speculation about retirement, at least for a while. One has to think that Pope Francis refrained from this kind of comment while Benedict XVI was alive out of respect, but that the constant nagging questions about it were annoying him for some time. If he’s signaling to the Jesuits to have their order’s superior remain for life, well … — Ed]
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