In a TV interview the head of the Catholic church calls his predecessor ‘an institution’ for his decision to step down and says he is open to a brief reign

This article is more than 5 years old

This article is more than 5 years old

Pope Francis has marked the second anniversary of his election by giving an interview in which he says he expects his time at the Vatican to be short, and that he would be ready to resign rather than ruling the Catholic church for life.

“I have a feeling my pontificate will be brief,” he told Mexico’s Televisa channel.

“Four or five years, I don’t know. Two years have already gone by.

“It is a vague feeling I have that the Lord chose me for a short mission. I am always open to that possibility.”

The first pope from Latin America has hinted in the past that he could retire, emulating his predecessor Benedict XVI, who became the first pope to resign in seven centuries when he stepped down in February 2013.

“In general, I think what Benedict so courageously did was to open the door to the popes emeritus. Benedict should not be considered an exception, but an institution,” Francis said.

Francis, who is 78, and apparently in good health, said he did not like the idea of an upper age limit for the pope.

“The idea of fixing an age limit of 80 is not one I like very much,” he said, arguing that it would create lame-duck pontiffs.

Francis said he visited and spoke by telephone to Benedict, who lives a monastic life in a former convent inside the Vatican.

“He is happy, satisfied and respected by everyone,” he said. “He can be asked for advice and he is loyal to the death.”

When asked if he liked being pope, Francis replied: “I don’t not like it,” before expanding on his dislike of travelling and his fondness for the comforts and familiarity of home.

Despite that, Francis insisted he did not feel lonely in the top job, although he did confess to sometimes longing for the anonymity enjoyed as the parish priest he once was.

“The only thing I would like is to go out one day, without being recognised, and go to a pizzeria for a pizza,” he said, adding that he missed his days as a bishop in Buenos Aires, when he could move about the city freely.



“In Buenos Aires, I was a rover,” he said.

