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11/22/2024 04:50:48 am

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The Pope Considers Early Retirement, Says He Only Has a Few Years Left

Pope Francis

(Photo : REUTERS/ANDREW MEDICHINI) Pope Francis talks to reporters aboard the papal flight on his way back to the Vatican from Jerusalem May 26, 2014.

In a lighthearted talk aboard the Papal plane on Monday, Pope Francis spoke about the possibility of retirement from the Papacy.

The pontiff also shared for the first time in public that he sees himself as only having one or two more years before he is off to "the Father's House."

The Pope previously spoke of the possibility of following in the footsteps of his predecessor, in an interview with Italy's Corriere della Sera newspaper.

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Pope Benedict was the first to retire from the Papacy in 600 years after stepping down in 2013. He says this "opened the door" for modern popes who are living longer and have to consider how health and age will affect them.

Pope Francis also added in the same interview that he often phones the Pope Emeritus for advice and even sees a time when there may be more than one pope emeritus sharing the status.

In regards to his own health, the Pope shared that he suffers from nerve problems which require treatment. He joked that he gives them mate -- a traditional tea from his native Argentina that stimulates the nerves.

The Pope was in good spirits when talking about the time he has left on this earth, saying that he has confided to those closest to him that he knows he only has a few short years left. He said that if he is no longer able to do his duties as the leader of the Catholic world, he will take retirement into consideration.

Pope Francis even revealed in an interview with Spanish language newspaper, La Vanguardia, that he has plans of returning to Buenos Aires to live in a home for elderly priests when he retires. This is in contrast to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI who has chosen to live in seclusion at the Vatican.

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