Possibility of Pope's resignation raised in Vatican
The Pope will remain in hospital for a few more days as a precaution, the Vatican said today as the question of John Paul’s possible resignation was raised.
Papal spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls said the 84-year-old Pope, who he said was continuing to improve, had no fever, was eating regularly and has been sitting in a chair every day for several hours.
“His doctors have advised him to stay a few more days,” Navarro-Valls said, declining to set a date for the Pope’s release.
Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Angelo Sodano, asked by a whether the Pope has thought about resigning, responded: “Let’s leave this hypothesis up to the Pope’s conscience.”
“If there is a man who loves the Church more than anybody else, who is guided by the Holy Spirit, if there’s a man who has marvellous wisdom, that’s him. We must have great faith in the Pope. He knows what to do,” said Sodano, the Vatican’s number two official.
Vatican observers said that since Sodano had not closed the door on the issue and had responded to the question, it could mean top church officials were discussing such a possible scenario. Popes can resign but cannot be forced to do so.
A few minutes earlier, however, Sodano spoke of John Paul’s longevity in remarks dedicating a new Vatican bookstore.
“Pius IX was pope for 32 years. Let’s pray that John Paul passes this mark,” Sodano said, referring to the pontiff ahead of John Paul on the list of longest-serving popes.
“Let’s pray in this moment for a long life and for serenity for the Holy Father,” he said. “Let’s pray that Holy Spirit Consoler is at his side. The affection of the children of the church is the best medicine for him.”
