Pope Francis stated in 2023, “We can either withdraw within ourselves or welcome suffering as an opportunity for growth.”

Given his own words and recent health issues, this question arises: should Pope Francis step down as Supreme Pontiff due to his illness or continue leading the Catholic Church despite his current condition? It does not yet appear to be the time for Pope Francis to resign. Despite his current situation, there remains much more he can contribute to the Catholic Church. Pope Francis has been hospitalized in Rome’s Gemelli hospital since Feb. 14, suffering from a polymicrobial infection of the respiratory tract, bilateral pneumonia, and several episodes of acute respiratory crisis. These health concerns are not to be taken lightly as Francis is 88 years old and is considered to be one of the oldest popes in the history of the Church, with only Pope Leo XIII holding the record at a near 93 years of age.

The tradition of a pope serving until death is a tradition that dates back to the days of Ancient Rome and was formally established in the 1917 Code of Canon Law. However, despite this long-standing tradition, a total of six popes have resigned from the papacy, most recently Pope Benedict XVI who resigned in 2013 due to declining mental and physical health. With that, as modern medicine and standards continue to reach new limits, should the tradition of a lifelong papacy be reconsidered to better reflect the realities of aging in the modern era?

Long supporter of Pope Francis, President Fr. Gregory M. Goethals, SJ ’73 said, “I think it is not a bad thing to be able to have a pope to step down if their health is bad. If a pope is really incapacitated, if he really can’t do his job and is out of it… that’s when it makes sense for a pope to resign.”

On the other hand, Theology teacher Jerry Frumento ’79 remarked, “I think it’s good for the world to see a pope, who is suffering like we all suffer at the end of our life, and so there’s a certain bit of solidarity that the church can have with him in that aspect of life.”

Support for Pope Francis remains strong among both Fr. Goethals and Frumento. Frumento specifically highlighted several reasons for his support of Francis, which align with perspectives shared by many. Frumento expressed, “Pope Francis is not focusing on the doctrines, the official teachings of the Church, but rather the ministry of Jesus, which was to love people.”

With that, it may not be time for Pope Francis to resign from the papacy. Despite his current health afflictions, he has continued working from Rome’s Gemelli hospital. If he is able to continue his work while being hospitalized, then it stands to reason that he can continue his papal duties following recovery from his current illnesses. Additionally, as this is the Church’s jubilee year, a resignation at this time could be seen as inconsiderate given the holiness and traditions associated with this period. Furthermore, in recent days, Pope Francis has shown no major setbacks and even released a voice message to the public, all signs pointing toward continued improvement in his health.

On the evening of March 6, as many gathered for the recitation of the rosary in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis shared a voice message: “I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your prayers for my health. I accompany you from here. May God bless you and the Virgin protect you. Thank you.”

As Pope Francis and future pontiffs continue to live longer due to medical advancements, the tradition of Supreme Pontiff serving until death may no longer align with modern realities. A Pope must be able to continue fulfilling his duties without health impairments affecting his ability to guide the Church. If the Church is to remain forward-moving, but a Pope is unable to keep pace due to health concerns, resignation should be considered as an option.

That being said, as Fr. Goethals voiced, “you want [Pope Francis] to give it [his] all for as long as [he] can.” At Loyola, the belief that the Holy Spirit moves in mysterious ways is deeply ingrained. With that in mind, in Loyola’s collective conscience, whichever direction God decides for His Holy Church, trust remains in His wisdom. As Proverbs 19:21 reminds, “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”