Rumors are running rampant at the Vatican that Pope Francis is about to resign due to ongoing health issues.
Due to the unusual movements at the Vatican lately, several reporters within the Vatican’s press pool believe Pope Francis,85, is on the verge of resigning due to fragile health.
The main source of confirmation that the Pope could be resigning soon is an unusual meeting amongst cardinals the Pope has scheduled in the coming days.
The Pope has also canceled his trip to Africa next month which is leading to more speculation.
Unusual activity at the Vatican as reports break that Pope Francis may be about to resign. (And we are there!) pic.twitter.com/P2AetNECH1
— Megyn Kelly (@megynkelly) June 20, 2022
Lots of rumors flying that Pope Francis, 85, may resign over health issues pic.twitter.com/Nq9nwpkyNW
— Jack Posobiec 🇺🇸 (@JackPosobiec) June 20, 2022
TMZ had more on the story:
Pope Francis may be hanging it up soon — stepping down as the leader of the Catholic Church — at least that’s the buzz in and around the Vatican.
There’s some unusual activity going on … and the backdrop to all of it is the Pope’s frail health. He’s been confined to a wheelchair recently … the result of debilitating knee pain.
The Pope also just canceled a trip to Africa scheduled for next month.
What’s fueling the resignation rumors is a meeting of cardinals that the Pope just scheduled … it’s highly unusual.
Pope Francis assumed his role back in 2013 and has instituted a series of reforms, which include a new constitution.
What’s especially interesting … Pope Francis’s predecessor, former Pope Benedict, resigned in 2013 … he says it was based on deteriorating physical and mental health.
Pope Francis' postponing of a trip to Africa and the curious timing of an upcoming meeting of cardinals has sparked the rumour mills — but experts caution against assuming a resignation is nighhttps://t.co/DBfY7geKCZ pic.twitter.com/eThtxKuhgY
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) June 20, 2022
Yahoo News covered the breaking story too:
Pope Francis has fuelled the rumour mill with a postponed Africa trip and the curious timing of an upcoming meeting of cardinals — but experts caution against assuming a resignation is nigh.
Hobbled by pain in his knee and forced to use a wheelchair in recent weeks, the 85-year-old pontiff postponed a July trip to the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan last week.
That move, along with an unusual decision to hold a consistory to name new cardinals during the vacation month of August, triggered intense speculation about his plans for the future, including the most radical — that he was planning to step down.
