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VATICAN CITY ∙ Pope Francis has said that popes are elected to rule until the end of their lives and resignations should not become a fashion, which should only happen in exceptional and necessary circumstances. He made the comments during a conversation with Jesuit priests in Kinshasa during a visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo, in response to a question about rumors that the pope may resign for health reasons. Pope Francis was elected after Pope Benedict XVI resigned in 2013 due to health reasons.
English Summary : Elected for lifelong says Pope Francis