In recent interviews, Pope Francis has insisted that he still has no thoughts of resigning.
POPE FRANCIS
Look: it is neither a thought, concern nor even a wish. It is a possibility open to all popes. But for the moment, it is not at the center of my thoughts.
And despite his health problems in 2023, the Pope shows no signs of easing up on his agenda. For example, he is relaunching his visits in Rome and throughout Italy.
In a meeting with priests of the diocese of Rome, Pope Francis said he was going to resume his pastoral visits to the city's parishes. These visits left touching moments such as the Pope's meeting with a child who asked him if his father, who recently died and was an atheist, was in heaven.
POPE FRANCIS
He was atheist, but baptized his four children. He was a good man. 'Is my father in Heaven?' How beautiful for a son to say his father 'was a good man.
But Pope Francis' plan is not only to resume pastoral visits in Rome but also throughout Italy. His last trip within the country was to Asti in November 2022. It was reported that the Pope would visit Verona on May 18. Now it has been confirmed that he will also visit Trieste, on the border with Slovenia, on July 7.
JRB/CA
TR: KG
