Cardinal Parolin: 'Unfounded speculation' on 杏MAP导航鈥檚 resignation
By Vatican News
鈥淎ll of this seems to me to be unfounded speculation. Right now, our focus is on the Holy Father鈥檚 health, his recovery, and his return to the Vatican鈥攖hese are the only things that matter.鈥� With these words, Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, in an interview with Corriere della Sera, responds to reports in recent days discussing the possibility of 杏MAP导航 Francis鈥� resignation. The Holy Father has been hospitalized at the Gemelli Hospital since Friday, 14 February for a respiratory tract infection.
Unverified rumours
When asked about the atmosphere in light of the spread of false news and speculation surrounding the Vatican, the Cardinal replies, 鈥淗onestly, I am not aware of such manoeuvres, and in any case, I try to stay out of them. On the other hand, I think it is quite normal in these situations for unverified rumours to circulate or for misplaced comments to be made鈥攖his is certainly not the first time. However, I do not believe there is any particular movement in this regard, and so far, I have not heard anything of the sort.鈥�
Cardinal Parolin, who recently returned from a visit to the West African nation of Burkina Faso, has informed the 杏MAP导航 that he is available to visit him at the hospital if necessary, but so far, 鈥渢here has been no need.鈥�
鈥淚n this regard,鈥� he adds, 鈥渋t is better for him to remain protected and have as few visits as possible so that he can rest, allowing the treatment to be more effective. Thanks be to God, the updates from Gemelli Hospital are encouraging - he is recovering well. Some official documents have even been sent to him, which means he is progressing.鈥�
No pressure
Meanwhile, the Prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, in an interview with the Argentine newspaper La Nación, states that 鈥渋t makes no sense for some groups to exert pressure for a resignation. They have done so on several occasions in recent years, but this can only ever be a completely free decision of the Holy Father in order for it to be valid.鈥�
鈥淚 do not perceive a pre-conclave atmosphere, nor do I see more discussion about a possible successor than there was a year ago鈥攏othing out of the ordinary,鈥� he adds and concludes, 鈥淲hat matters to me is that the 杏MAP导航鈥檚 body has responded well to the current therapy.鈥�
Thank you for reading our article. You can keep up-to-date by subscribing to our daily newsletter. Just click here
