"I have the feeling that my pontificate will be brief. Four or five years; I do not know, even two or three."

These were the words of Pope Francis as he spoke during the second anniversary of his papacy, suggesting he may not remain at the Vatican for life.

The Pope's simplicity and humility had won the hearts of millions of Catholics all over the world.  He earned praises too, for his efforts to reform the Church's internal government. 

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Two years of his papacy had swiftly passed and the Pontiff thinks he may not stay to lead the Vatican for so long.

"I do not know. But I feel that the Lord has placed me here for a short time, and nothing more," Pope said in an interview with a Mexican television. "But it is a feeling. I always leave the possibility open," he added.

He had already hinted in the past that he could retire, but at the same time pointed out his opposition to imposing an age limit for leaders of the Catholic Church.

"To say that one is in charge up to 80 years, creates a sensation that the pontificate is at its end and that would not be a good thing," the Pontiff said.

The Pope praised Benedict's decision to step down in 2013, saying it was a courageous act. 

"Benedict should not be considered an exception, but an institution. Maybe he will be the only one for a long time, maybe he will not be the only one."

Pope Francis succeeded Pope Benedict XVI's on 13 March 2013, making him the first Latin American to lead the Church.

Francis only brought a small suitcase to the Papal Conclave, thinking that he would return to Buenos Aires after the election of a new Pope.  He said he was surprised the with conclave's decision.

While the Pope said he "did not mind being The Pope", he missed the anonymity that goes with being just a priest.

"The only thing I would like is to go out one day, without being recognized, and go to a pizzeria for a pizza,"  the Pontiff said.   

TagsPope Francis, Vatican, papacy, Catholic Church