Pope Francis, who celebrated his 88th birthday last month, has addressed growing concerns about his health in his newly released autobiography, stating that despite his age and recent health issues, he remains in good condition and has no intention of resigning.
“I am well,” the pontiff asserts in the book, which went on sale in over 100 countries on January 14. “The reality is, quite simply, that I am old.”
While the pope, who has used a wheelchair due to ongoing knee and back pain, acknowledges his physical limitations, he emphasized that the leadership of the Church is rooted in intellect and compassion, not physicality. “The Church is governed using the head and the heart, not the legs,” he remarked.
The Argentine-born pope, the first Latin American to hold the papacy, has led the global Catholic Church—home to 1.4 billion members—since 2013. In recent years, he has faced multiple health challenges, including bouts of influenza and a 2021 surgery to treat diverticulitis, followed by another operation in 2023 for a hernia.
Francis reflects on the constant speculation surrounding papal health, particularly when he falls ill. “Each time a pope takes ill, the winds of a conclave always feel as if they are blowing,” he writes, referring to the secretive meeting of Catholic cardinals who will elect his successor.
Despite the health scares, he asserts, “Even during the days of surgery, I never thought of resigning.”
The book, titled Hope, is the second installment of his memoirs, following a first volume published in March 2024. Initially intended for posthumous release, Francis chose to publish it during the ongoing Catholic Holy Year, which emphasizes the theme of hope.
Spanning 303 pages, Hope explores the pope’s early life in Buenos Aires, his rise within the Church, and his papacy. One of the most debated topics in the book is his 2024 decision to allow priests to offer blessings to same-sex couples on a case-by-case basis. This policy has sparked controversy, particularly among some African bishops who have rejected its implementation.
“It is the people who are blessed, not the relationships,” the pope explains. “Everyone in the Church is invited (for a blessing), including people who are divorced, including people who are homosexual, including people who are transgender.”
Francis also makes a bold statement on the subject of homosexuality, declaring, “Homosexuality is not a crime, it is a human fact.”
As the pontiff continues to navigate health challenges, his message remains clear: his commitment to his papacy and the Church’s mission endures, driven by faith and reason.
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