Cardinal: Pope Francis to continue working as pontiff despite illness

Prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, Argentine Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández has said that Pope Francis will not be stepping down from the papacy—on the contrary, after his serious illness, he will begin a new chapter and may surprise everybody.

"Without a doubt, the Pope has learned a great deal over the past month, and the challenging moment he is experiencing will enrich both the Church and the world. Who knows what he will pull out of his hat. A new chapter is beginning, and Francis is a man full of surprises," Cardinal Fernández said, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media. 

"I absolutely don't think he could step down. That is definitely not going to happen," he added. The cardinal shared that he had the opportunity to speak with the pontiff, who has been hospitalised since February 14 due to pneumonia. 

The cardinal noted that the Pope is physically doing well, but he is finding it difficult to speak. 

"He now requires a lengthy rehabilitation process, as after an extended period of intensive oxygen support, everything became dry, and he needs to relearn how to speak," he added.  

Vatican's Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin who visited the pontiff in the hospital at least twice, long conversations and discussions are impossible due to the problems with Pope's voice. The condition of 88-year-old Pope Francis is gradually improving. He is no longer undergoing artificial ventilation at night, and his oxygen intake through nasal tubes is progressively being reduced. 

The Pope is receiving both respiratory and physical therapy. However, it remains unclear when he will be discharged. The timing of Easter and pre-Easter rituals (April 15-20) is also uncertain. Meanwhile, Buckingham Palace has announced that King Charles III will be visiting Italy, with a scheduled meeting with the Pope on April 8.

By Naila Huseynova