Pope reassures public about health concerns and emphasizes his commitment to serve without plans to step down.
Pope Francis, who recently celebrated his 88th birthday, has opened up about his health and his future in a new autobiography, and his words are a breath of fresh air. “I am well,” he asserts confidently in a book now available in over 100 countries. Yet, he adds with a hint of humility, “The reality is, quite simply, that I am old.”
Despite the challenges he faces daily—often relying on a wheelchair to navigate the Vatican halls due to persistent knee and back pain—the pope insists that age doesn’t diminish the vigor of his leadership. “The Church is governed using the head and the heart, not the legs,” he reminds us, emphasizing the essence of thoughtful guidance over physicality.
Hailing from Argentina, he made history in 2013 as the first pontiff from Latin America, serving a flock of over 1.4 billion faithful worldwide. Given his long tenure, it’s no surprise that discussions swirl around the possibility of a conclave—a secret gathering of cardinals destined to elect the next pope—every time the pope takes a health-related stumble. Reflecting on this reality, he states, “Each time a pope takes ill, the winds of a conclave always feel as if they are blowing.” But in his case, even during surgery, thoughts of stepping down never crossed his mind. “I never thought of resigning,” he shares, exuding a sense of resolute commitment to his duties.
Just last month, Pope Francis delivered his annual Christmas Urbi Et Orbi Blessing, a testament to his ongoing dedication. His new book, titled “Hope,” is not just another papal publication; it’s deeply personal and reflective. It’s the second in a series of memoirs, following a volume released in March 2024. Initially, he planned to have this work published posthumously, yet he opted instead to share it amid the ongoing Catholic Holy Year, which fortuitously revolves around the theme of hope.
In the 303-page narrative, the pope takes us on a journey through his formative years in Buenos Aires, the steps of his ecclesiastical rise, and the pivotal decisions he has faced within the vast landscape of global Catholicism. One decision that has sparked heated conversations within Church circles, particularly among bishops in Africa, is his 2024 allowance for priests to bless same-sex couples—on a case-by-case basis.
“It is the people who are blessed, not the relationships,” he clarifies, underscoring a position of inclusivity. His statements underscore a revolutionary stance: “Everyone in the Church is invited for a blessing, including those who are divorced, homosexual, or transgender.” With conviction, he states, “Homosexuality is not a crime, it is a human fact.” In an era where divisive rhetoric often permeates discussions on faith and sexuality, the pope’s message stands as an olive branch, inviting dialogue and understanding.
As we digest these reflections from one of the world’s most significant spiritual leaders, we are reminded that hope, compassion, and inclusivity are timeless values, resonating deeply with the core of humanity’s shared experience.
Report By Axadle
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring
