Abdelrahman
In a recent interview with the Italian publication Corriere della Sera, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State, emphasized that the primary concerns are the Pope’s health, recovery, and eventual return to the Vatican. He dismissed the speculation surrounding calls for Pope Francis to step down as baseless.
By Vatican News
Cardinal Parolin stated, “This appears to be unfounded speculation. Our main priority right now is the Holy Father’s well-being, his recovery, and bringing him back to the Vatican—these are the only priorities.” His remarks come in response to recent discussions about the potential resignation of Pope Francis, who has been hospitalized at Gemelli Hospital since Friday, February 14, due to a respiratory infection.
Addressing False Information
When questioned about the atmosphere surrounding the ongoing rumors and misinformation related to the Vatican, Cardinal Parolin asserted, “Honestly, I am not aware of any such maneuvers, and I prefer to remain uninvolved. It’s not unusual for unverified rumors to circulate in situations like this—this isn’t the first instance. However, I don’t sense any specific movement suggesting a resignation, and thus far, I haven’t encountered any credible information on this matter.”
Recently returning from a trip to Burkina Faso, Cardinal Parolin has offered to visit the Pope in the hospital if needed, but he noted that "there has been no necessity" for such a visit. He further mentioned, “It’s best for him to have minimal visits to ensure he can rest and receive effective treatment. Thankfully, the updates from Gemelli Hospital are promising—he is doing well. Some official documents have even been sent to him, indicating progress.”
No Pressure for Resignation
In another interview with the Argentine newspaper La Nación, Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, expressed that it is unreasonable for certain factions to pressure for the Pope’s resignation. He noted that while such pressures have occurred in recent years, any decision regarding papal resignation must ultimately be made by the Holy Father freely for it to hold validity.
“I do not sense any pre-conclave atmosphere, nor do I see heightened discussions about a potential successor compared to last year—everything seems normal,” he remarked, adding, “What truly matters is that the Pope’s health has responded positively to his current treatment.”
