WHAT IS KNOWN ABOUT BERGOGLIO'S POSSIBLE RESIGNATION

 

International News 

Update: The Pope suspends the Holy Mass and Procession with Eucharistic Blessing on the occasion of the Feast of Corpus Christi. The statement was issued June 13 directly from the Vatican press office. 

(the article will be periodically updated)

Another pontificate appears to be at an end. And soon, too. 

Bergoglio, for some time now, has been suffering from knee problems, which have also led him to postpone and cancel some engagements. On Thursday, May 5, he showed up at the Plenary Assembly of the International Union of Superiors General received at the Vatican in a wheelchair, pushed by his butler. 

Bergoglio has been suffering from knee problems for weeks, so he has been forced to cancel audiences and official engagements. "This leg is not good, it doesn't work, and the doctor told me not to walk. I like to go but this time I have to obey the doctor," said Bergoglio, who has long suffered from gonarthrosis, or arthrosis in his right knee. 

Is Bergoglio about to resign?

Bergoglio is reportedly close to resigning: these are the rumors coming from sources close to the Vatican, but for now there is no confirmation.

Rumors about the resignation multiplied after Bergoglio announced for Aug. 27 a consistory to create 21 new cardinals, 16 of whom are under 80 years old and thus able to vote at the next conclave.

The more observant have also pointed out that the decision to visit L'Aquila on Aug. 28, at the close of the Celestine Perdonanza celebrations, could be a sign. 

The capital of Abruzzo is historically linked to the memory of Celestine V, the first resigning pope in history. 

However, one of Bergoglio's closest advisers, Honduran Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga, called these reconstructions unfounded. "I think these are optical illusions, cerebral illusions."

Still, according to church historian Christopher Bellitto, most observers believe Francis will eventually resign, but not before Benedict's death. There won't be two resigning popes around."

Update 12/20/2022 

Vatican earthquake, Bergoglio's announcement: 'I have already signed my resignation'

"I have already signed my resignation in case of permanent medical impediment": so declares the Pope in an interview with the Spanish daily Abc. A real earthquake in the aftermath of the Pontiff's 86th birthday. Bergoglio tells of giving his "

"renunciation" of Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone who was secretary of state. And so it comes back to talk about his health condition.

"I already signed my renunciation," the Pope reveals, "was when Tarcisio Bertone was secretary of state. I signed the renunciation and I told him in case of medical impediment or whatever, here is my renunciation. You have it. I don't know who Bertone gave it to, but I gave it to him when he was secretary of state."

It is not ruled out, then, that Bergoglio's health condition is worsening. But it also does not rule out the willingness of the Vatican leadership to replace the current pope, although two popes emeriti cannot be there since Ratzinger is still alive. In spite of this, this statement by the pope appears rather strange. Even if he were in bad shape one wonders why Bergoglio would also want to resign, given that all popes - like John Paul II - have ended their pontificates right at death, and have continued despite illnesses. That the so-called "Black Pope" is not Bergoglio?