Speculation mounts that the Pope is about to RESIGN as Francis postpones Africa trip and announces unusual meeting of cardinals
Pope Francis has fuelled speculation that he could resign after postponing a trip to Africa and announcing an unusual meeting of cardinals.
Hobbled
by pain in his knee and forced to use a wheelchair in recent weeks, the
85-year-old pontiff postponed a July trip to the Democratic Republic of
Congo and South Sudan last week.
He
also announced an unusual decision to hold a consistory to name new
cardinals during a Vatican vacation month and arranged meetings to
ensure his reforms stay intact.
The extraordinary consistory will be held on August 27, a slow summer
month at the Catholic headquarters, to create 21 new cardinals - 16 of
whom will be under the age of 80, thereby eligible to elect his
successor in a future conclave.
