The Vatican has allowed the pope's abdication for health reasons

Pope Francis may abdicate for health reasons if he has difficulties in performing his duties. Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi told the Corriere della Sera newspaper on February 21.

"If he has serious difficulties in the performance of his duties, he will make his choice. Of course, it will be up to him to decide, perhaps he will ask for advice, but he will make the final decision himself, according to his conscience," - stated in the material.

According to the publication, Pope Francis intends to stay in office until the end of this year and the end of the Jubilee Year of Christianity, and then will remove the powers, as his predecessor Benedict XVI.

"The Pope has a very warm attitude towards Russia"

Artist Nikas Safronov - about the audience with Francis I, the future exhibition in the Vatican and the paintings of itinerant artists in the pontiff's chambers

On February 14, the press service of the Holy See reported the hospitalization of the Pope. On February 17, the pontiff was left in the hospital due to a respiratory tract infection. The next day it was reported that the Pope's examination revealed the onset of bilateral pneumonia.