Pope discusses his health, his critics and future of papacy

AP News ^ | January 25, 2023 | Nicole Winfield

[ebb tide]

Pope discusses his health, his critics and future of papacy

Pope Francis says he hasn’t considered issuing norms to regulate future papal resignations and plans to continue for as long as he can as bishop of Rome, despite a wave of criticism from some top-ranking conservative cardinals and bishops about his papal priorities.

In his first interview since the Dec. 31 death of retired Pope Benedict XVI, Francis addressed his critics, his health and the next phase of his pontificate, which marks its 10th anniversary in March without Benedict’s shadow in the background.

Francis’ comments, delivered Tuesday at the Vatican hotel where he lives, came at a particularly difficult time, as the pontiff navigates conservative opposition to his insistence on making the Catholic Church a more welcoming, inclusive place — criticism that he attributed to the equivalent of a 10-year itch of his papacy.

...

Francis also addressed the criticism from cardinals and bishops that burst into public in the weeks since Benedict’s death, saying it’s unpleasant — “like a rash that bothers you a bit” — but that is better than keeping it under wraps.

[ebb tide]

“If it’s not like this, there would be a dictatorship of distance, as I call it, where the emperor is there and no one can tell him anything. No, let them speak because ... criticism helps you to grow and improve things,” he said.

So says the Dictator Pope.

[ebb tide]

Ping

The dictator pope claims he’s not a dictator.

[forgotten man]

One foot in the grave and the other foot on a banana peel, I hope.

[NWFree]

Call me when he’s dead

[afsnco]

The openly apostate pope.

[frank ballenger]

I saw someone’s opinion piece that the same insider group at the Vatican who decided to install him would be the ones still there to replace him someday. Depressing.

[BipolarBob]

Perhaps they will get someone who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God (or a Vicar of Christ). One who claims they have binding or loosing powers. One who is the Rock of the Church. Maybe even perform miracles. Maybe get THAT GUY.

[dsrtsage]

Don’t worry, if he keels over, I am sure they can find the first trans black wiccan pedophile necrophiliac cannibal vampire to succeed him and carry on his good works

[frank ballenger]

Maybe.