As for Ukraine, Francis commended Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, the the veteran diplomat and head of the Italian bishops’ conference, who is leading the Vatican peace mission. “He is good and capable, he is undertaking a constant and patient diplomatic operation to put conflicts aside and build a climate of reconciliation,” the pope said.
Pope Francis shows a flag that was brought to him from Bucha, Ukraine, during his weekly general audience in the Paul VI Hall, at the Vatican, April 6, 2022. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
In the interview, the pope also addressed mounting concerns over his health, saying he is not offended when people ask whether he will resign due to illness. “Resignation is a possibility for every pontiff,” Francis said, “but I’m not thinking about it now. It doesn’t worry me. If and when I won’t be able to do this anymore, I will start thinking and praying about it.”
Despite his age and the forces tearing at the unity of his church and the world, the pope showed a relentless desire to continue his work and mission, laying out an ambitious list of possible papal trips, including to Papua New Guinea and East Timor.
“I dream of a Church that is capable of being close to people concretely and in the complexities and challenges of daily life,” he said. “The church is called to go outward to the peripheries, not only the geographic ones, but also the existential ones.”
This article originally appeared here.
