Dismisses Rumors of Voluntary Resignation Due to Health Concerns
Recalls Visit to Benedict XVI
Pope Francis, who was elected pope following the shocking voluntary resignation of Benedict XVI in 2013, reflected on those events.
Yonhap News quoted from Pope Francis's autobiography "Hope," which was simultaneously published in 80 countries worldwide on the 14th. In "Hope," the pope mentioned visiting Benedict XVI at Castel Gandolfo, the papal summer residence in southern Rome, shortly after his election.
He revealed that Benedict XVI handed him a large white box and said, "Everything is here." Benedict XVI also said, "These are documents related to the most difficult and painful situations, including abuse, corruption, dark dealings, and misconduct. I have done what I could, taken these measures, and dismissed these people, so now it is your turn."
Pope Francis did not elaborate on the contents of the box. In his autobiography, he only stated, "I am continuing on his path." There had been various speculations and rumors about what materials were contained in the box Benedict XVI gave to Francis. The British daily The Guardian reported, "This is the first time Pope Francis has officially revealed the secret of the 'white box' in this autobiography."
The autobiography also mentioned the moment Pope Francis was elected during the conclave. The conclave, known as the papal election process, is the procedure to elect a new pope when the current pope dies or resigns. Cardinals with voting rights enter a room, close the door, and elect the pope. Initially, Roman clergy and laypeople elected the pope, but since 1059, the College of Cardinals has been responsible for the selection. The conclave, conducted in isolation from the outside, began in 1274.
On March 23, 2013 (local time), a white box is placed between Francis and Benedict XVI. Photo by EPA Yonhap News
At that time, 115 cardinals from around the world were convened for the conclave. To become pope, a candidate needed to secure at least two-thirds of the votes, which was 77 out of 115 cardinals. Pope Francis said he realized his fate was decided when he received 69 votes in the fourth round of voting.
He recalled, "When my name was called for the 77th time (in the fifth vote), applause broke out. I don't know exactly how many votes I got in the end because I stopped listening. The voices of the cardinals drowned out the voice of the judge."
The pope mentioned that the Italian word for church, "chiesa," is a feminine noun. He said, "The church is female, not male," and pointed out, "There is an urgent need to find new ways and standards so that women can participate more fully and play a central role in various areas of society and church life."
However, he still excluded the possibility of allowing women priests. The pope stated, "One of the greatest sins we have committed is the 'masculinization' of the church. Therefore, the church must be 'demasculinized.' At the same time, we must understand that 'masculinizing' women is neither humane nor Christian."
He clearly drew a line regarding the persistent rumors about health problems and consequent voluntary resignation. He said, "I am healthy. In fact, simply put, I am just old." Often relying on a wheelchair due to knee and back pain, he stated, "The church is run not by legs but by the head and heart."
In December last year, Pope Francis attended a cardinal meeting with a bluish bruise on his lower right jaw, raising concerns about his health. He underwent surgery for colon stenosis on July 4, 2021, and two years later, in June 2023, he had surgery again to treat a hernia. Although 88 years old, Pope Francis has no major health issues, but his knee and back pain have worsened recently, leading to frequent use of a wheelchair in public.
Meanwhile, the pope's autobiography "Hope" was originally scheduled to be published after his death but was brought forward to coincide with this year's Jubilee, which occurs every 25 years. Carlo Musso, an Italian publisher who co-authored the book, revealed that he had been working on it for the past six years.
The pope's autobiography "Hope" is 303 pages long. Through the book, he reflected on his upbringing in Buenos Aires, Argentina, his life as a bishop in Argentina, and the decisions he made as a leader of the global church.
Pope Francis is regarded as the most progressive pope in history. Since his inauguration in 2013, he has adopted an inclusive attitude toward sexual minorities (LGBTQ) and officially approved the blessing of same-sex couples by Catholic priests last year.
The pope emphasized, "It is the person who is blessed, not the relationship," and said, "Everyone in the church can be blessed. This includes divorced people, homosexuals, and transgender individuals. Homosexuality is not a crime but a human reality."
Recently, the Vatican approved new guidelines allowing celibate homosexual men who abstain from sexual relations to enter seminaries for priestly formation. However, men who openly display homosexual tendencies are excluded from education.
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