His brother in a statement confirms the Pope’s bad health as the reason, saying “Das Alter drückt”, i.e. that the pressure of his age has caught up with him.
Of course one can speculate: Is it cancer? Does he know / feel that he will die soon? Or has it just been opportune timing to best position the successor he has in mind?
Many expected JPII to resign because of health and there were sound reasons to do so (with all the insecurity a moribund Pope causes for the leadership of the church). He chose not to do so in order to set an example. Ratzinger was a close ally of JPII and his role was crucial during the time of JPII’s illness. I think both decisions deserve respect. Albeit for different reasons (to show that illness and death is a natural part of live - vs. - to show that the office and the church are bigger than any one men).
exactly and both have done bounds to show that the office and the protection of God is more important than any individual
I believe it’s dementia. Here’s why:
If he had some grave diagnosis (e.g. pancreatic cancer) that gave him less than a year to live, there’s no reason to resign, as his fate will lead to a successor soo enough for the Church and the world.
If he had some new disability (making it difficult to walk, talk, see, etc.) he would soldier on, and continue his leadership, even with a reduced schedule or limited travel.
The only condition that would truly deny the Church a capable pontiff is a cognitive disability.
May God comfort him in these difficult times, and bless him for making a courageous decision.
I should note that this is the result of such effective medical care that the body outlasts the brain, and may become the new normal for the generations ahead.