What to Know About Pope Francis’ Health & the Resignation Letter He Signed 12 Years Ago
As Pope Francis’ health continues to decline, the Vatican faces mounting questions about what happens next as it has come to light that the pontiff quietly signed a resignation letter to be enacted if he ever became incapacitated.
The Catholic Church is facing a moment of uncertainty as Pope Francis, 88, remains in critical but stable condition following his recent hospitalization. However, renewed attention has fallen on a document he signed in 2013 — a resignation letter.
What does this letter mean? How severe is the Pope’s condition? What happens if he steps down or passes away? And how is the Vatican preparing for such a historic moment?
Continue reading for a closer look at his resignation letter, expert medical breakdowns of his health, and what the Church is expected to do in the coming days.
Pope Francis’ Resignation Letter – A Plan Set in Motion 12 Years Ago
In the wake of Pope Francis’ worsening health, attention has turned to a significant document he signed over a decade ago — his resignation letter. The letter was intended to be enacted in the event of incapacitation, a move with little precedent in modern papal history.
While his recent hospitalization and frail condition have raised speculation about whether this letter might soon take effect, reports indicate that the Pope has accepted that “the end of his earthly life is very close,” making a formal resignation seem unnecessary.
The Vatican has not confirmed any plans to invoke the resignation letter, but if it were to happen, it would set in motion a highly structured process.
According to The Australian’s chief leader writer, Tess Livingstone, the first steps following a papal resignation or death would include the destruction of the Pope’s ring and seal of office to prevent misuse.
Nine days of mourning, known as novendiales, would follow, accompanied by masses for the repose of his soul.
Pope Francis, however, has opted to be buried not in the Vatican but in the Basilica of St. Mary Major, a historic and revered church dedicated to the Virgin Mary, located just outside the Vatican’s walls.
In a December 12, 2023, interview with Mexican news outlet N+, the Pope, in good spirits, openly discussed his funeral plans. He revealed that he had already spoken with Archbishop Diego Giovanni Ravelli, his master of liturgical ceremonies, about the arrangements.
“We simplified them quite a bit,” he said before jokingly adding, “I will premiere the new ritual.” This decision marked a significant departure from tradition.
Historically, popes have been buried in the Vatican Grottoes beneath St. Peter’s Basilica. The last pontiff to break this custom was Pope Leo XIII, who died in 1903 and was interred at the Basilica of St. John Lateran.
As for St. Mary Major, six popes have been buried there, but the most recent was Pope Clement IX in 1669. Pope Francis’ reasoning for his choice was deeply personal.
“It’s my great devotion,” he said, explaining that before becoming pope, he would visit the basilica on Sunday mornings whenever he traveled to Rome.
The site houses the revered Byzantine-style icon known as Salus Populi Romani (Salvation of the People of Rome), which depicts the Virgin Mary holding the infant Jesus.
The Pope has long expressed a special connection to this image, often praying before it after returning from his papal trips. His preference for a final resting place outside the Vatican aligns with his broader emphasis on humility and simplicity.
By November 2024, he had revised the funeral rites that would be used upon his death, streamlining the rituals to highlight his role as a bishop rather than an exalted figure.
The Vatican newspaper L’Osservatore Romano reported that he approved the updated liturgical book on April 29, replacing the previous version last updated in 2000.
The decision to revise these rites came in the wake of Pope Benedict XVI’s death on December 31, 2022. As the first retired pope in 600 years, Benedict’s funeral posed unique challenges for the Vatican, prompting Pope Francis to work with Monsignor Ravelli to simplify the traditional ceremonies.
In the event of Pope Francis’ passing behind the scenes, cardinals would prepare for what could be a historic transition. “Around the world, about 200 cardinals would be getting ready to fly to Rome,” Livingstone explained.
“I’m quite sure that would be the case. Quite a few — probably about 50— live in Rome as it is,” she added. A conclave, the closed-door assembly of cardinals responsible for electing a new pope, would then be convened.
Among them, 138 cardinals under the age of 80 would be eligible to vote, while senior cardinals over 80 would participate in pre-conclave discussions. “That promises to be extremely lively this time around,” Livingstone noted.
When questioned in 2022 about whether his diverse appointments would make the process more challenging, Pope Francis responded, “Of course, from the human point of view. But it is the Holy Spirit who works there.”
Despite his declining health, the 88-year-old pontiff has continued working from the hospital, reportedly making governmental decisions and approving new appointments.
He has also met with his second-in-command, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and the Vatican’s chief of staff to discuss the canonization of five new saints.
Additionally, Pope Francis has called for a consistory — a formal gathering of all cardinals — to determine when these saints will be officially recognized.
However, some within the Church, including priests in Rome, speculate that the consistory could serve a dual purpose, possibly signaling more significant developments within the Vatican.
Speculation surrounding Pope Francis’ resignation has persisted in part due to his own remarks in the past. The Pope had previously stated that he would consider stepping down if his health severely limited his ability to fulfill his duties, following the precedent set by Pope Benedict XVI.
