(UnitedVoice.com) – A decade ago, Pope Benedict XVI resigned from his position as head of the Catholic Church after just eight years. He was the first pope to voluntarily resign since 1294 when Celestine V did so. Pope Francis has now stated that he could leave the position as well.
On March 10, the Daily Mail reported that Italian media asked the pope what might cause him to resign. The 86-year-old pontiff responded, saying that sometimes there’s a tiredness that makes people not “see things clearly.” His remarks indicated he would step down if he was too tired.
Pope Francis had previously said he doesn’t intend to resign, but he might consider it if his health deteriorated further. He previously claimed that he signed a letter of resignation that would go into effect if he became impaired for any reason.
Pope Francis is quite controversial in America. Conservative Catholics routinely disagree with his positions on LGBTQ+, guns, and other issues. For example, he does not agree with bishops getting involved in the political fight over whether or not to allow pro-choice Catholics to receive holy communion.
Recently, the Catholic News Agency reported Francis said, “Gender ideology, today, is one of the most dangerous ideological colonizations.” He went on to say the transgender ideology “blurs differences and the value of men and women.”
The remarks weren’t the first time Pope Francis has spoken out against gender ideologies. In 2016, he said kids are taught to believe they can choose their own sex. He went on to say he believed they were being taught to think that way because of books that were being provided by institutions that provide them with money.
Francis’ remarks were widely celebrated by Conservatives who have been fighting against the destruction of gender norms.
As for retirement, the pope didn’t indicate he intends to retire any time soon.
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