- Title: Papacy entering "new" perhaps "final" stage, says Vatican expert
- Date: 23rd March 2025
- Summary: ROME, ITALY (MARCH 23, 2025) (REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) (English) VATICAN EXPERT AND AUTHOR, PHIL PULLELLA, SAYING: "We have to remember that we're in the midst of a Holy Year, which he opened, and will end at the end of this year. So I think that even if he has some thoughts of resigning, he probably would want to live out this year or continue running the Church this year, be
- Embargoed:
- Keywords: POPE FRANCIS VATICAN
- Location: ROME, ITALY
- City: ROME, ITALY
- Country: Italy
- Topics: Europe,Religion/Belief,Society/Social Issues
- Reuters ID: LVA005103323032025RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Pope Francis' papacy is perhaps entering a "new" and perhaps "final" phase, longtime Vatican expert and author Phil Pullella told Reuters on Sunday (March 23) as the pontiff was discharged from a five-week hospital stay.
The 88-year-old pope made his first public appearance since being hospitalised on February 14 on Sunday, greeting crowds from the balcony of his room at Rome's Gemelli hospital.
His prolonged illness, age and overall health has prompted renewed speculation about the future of his papacy.
Pullella said speculation about a possible resignation has intensified, though Francis previously cautioned against papal resignations becoming a "fashion" after his predecessor, Pope Benedict relinquished office in 2013.
With millions of pilgrims arriving in Rome for the ongoing Holy Year, Francis is likely to remain at least through year's end, Pullella said, emphasising that pilgrims to the Vatican expect to see the Pope during their visit.
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