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Pope Francis says he may resign in future because of fatigue

Earlier, Pope Francis, 86, said pontiffs could resign after his predecessor Benedict XVI "opened the door" for this by stepping down in 2013

ROME, March 10. /TASS/. Pope Francis again allowed the possibility of one day abdicating his position for health reasons or because of fatigue.

"A tiredness that does not make you see things clearly. A lack of clarity, of knowing how to evaluate situations," he said, commenting on what would drive him to resign in an interview posted on the Vatican News portal.

Earlier, Francis, 86, said pontiffs could resign after his predecessor Benedict XVI "opened the door" for this by stepping down in 2013.

However, Pope Francis said in February that pontiffs should rule for life owing to tradition, while popes retiring should not become a trend. He also said that back in the early stages of his ministry, he had submitted a letter of resignation to the Vatican’s Secretary of State in the event of disability but that he did not know where it was now.

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