Is Francis Planning to Resign? Soon? UPDATED

 A papal death or resignation (and election of a new pope) are big news.  In the case of Francis, his opposition would like to keep his mortality in front of us, to remind us that everything may change, and to discourage bishops, priests and laity from allying themselves with Francis

Pope Francis Fuels New Speculation On Future Of Pontificate

Recent decisions and increased mobility issues are fueling rumors that he might be planning to step down.

UPDATED. Two comments by Francis indicate that he does not see his inability to walk as an impediment.  First, he noted that before Vatican II Popes were carried around on a portable throne. Then he said" To govern requires a mind, not legs!"

My Analysis

1. The fact that the Pope has finally published his document on the reform of the Curia does not mean his mission has been accomplished.  Francis believes that hearts (interior conversions) are the heart of Curia reform. Changes in the table or organization and operating rules are minor helps.  He has spent all these years slowly changing things, trying to convert existing members and bring in new members who are willing to think differently.  I suspect many of Francis appointees are in complete agreement with this agenda.

2. The cardinals in the conclave were united in the need to have a changed relationship between the Curia and the bishops. That has existed ever since Vatican II. Francis thinks that changing the relationship between the Pope and the bishops, the bishops with each other, and bishops with their people is essential to true reform of the Curia. Otherwise, Catholicism will remain a top-down organization that fosters Curia power. Francis has at least another year until the Synod, and then two years after that to implement synodal reforms.  He may be forced to resign for health reasons before that, but he won't think his mission is accomplished until the synodal reforms are well in place.

3. Why increase the membership of the College of Cardinals and call them to study the reform of the Curia at the time when most of the Curia will be on summer vacation?  At the beginning of his pontificate Francis did continue meetings with the college of cardinals. Benedict had used the creation of new cardinals as an opportunity to consult with the college of cardinals. Francis quickly discontinued these. He probably realized that he had to create an entirely new college of cardinals to get the real consultation that he needed.  He has now done that. Expect him from now on to consult with the College of Cardinal regularly and for Vatican officials not to be at the center of those consultations.

4.Maybe Francis is headed toward the College of Cardinals functioning more like the US Senate, and the Synod of Bishops functioning more like the House of Representatives. Most of the delegates to the Synod of Bishops are chosen by national bishops' conferences with some additional papal appointees.  Cardinals are all appointed by Popes and therefore represent more of the agenda of the present Pope and past Popes. A balance between the Cardinals and the Bishops might contribute greatly to the management of the Church.  

5. As the article references, Francis did early on speculate that his reign would be only a few years. I suspect that might have been a case of his "mental reservation" deliberately misleading his opponents. I would not be surprised if he followed Benedict in leaving his pallium, and even affirming publicly that it was quite likely he would resign when he felt his mission had been accomplished even if he was still in good health. (That meaning in four years, just like Benedict took four years). He might have ideas about how resignations should be handled and how former Popes should be treated. He might even ask for the opinions of the Cardinals and then the Synod of Bishops on these important issues.

How stuck in the past are the media and conservative Catholics. They have not learned to expect the unexpected from this Pope.