12/17/2023 8:36 am (act. 12/17/2023 8:36 am)
Francisco does not think about resigning ©APA/AFP
Pope Francis celebrates his 87th birthday this Sunday. Congratulations to the Catholic head of the Vatican have poured in from around the world. The Italian head of state Sergio Mattarella congratulated the pontiff on his birthday on behalf of all Italians. Congratulations also came from the Italian CEI Episcopal Conference. Despite his advanced age and health problems, the pontiff does not think about resigning.
The Roman prefect Roberto Gualtieri conveyed the congratulations of all Romans to the pontiff. It's his eleventh anniversary as pope. No special celebrations were planned. For the head of the church it was a work day like any other, which began with morning mass in the Vatican guest house. This will be followed by Mass and the Angelus prayer, which the Pontiff will pray from the window of the Apostolic House.
More recently, in an interview with the Mexican television channel “N+”, the Pope expressed his desire to be buried in the Roman Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore and not in the Vatican, as is usually the case. He has great devotion to the basilica in the center of the Italian capital. It contains the icon of Mary, Salus Populi Romani, before which he prays before and after trips abroad.
On the abdication of his German predecessor Benedict XVI. When asked, he said: “I saw Benedict XVI's courage when he realized he could no longer do this and chose to say 'enough'. some point, but if he wants.”