The Holy Father has already joked about this turn several times: most recently, he spoke about his successor during his trip to Mongolia, and XXIV. He called him John.
The 86-year-old Pope Francis has recently spoken about his successor several times, and "XXIV. He referred to him as János. This also happened on the plane when the Holy Father was on his way home from Mongolia after his apostolic visit between August 31 and September 4.
When a journalist asked about his next trips, he said that his health problems are getting in the way and that after Marseille he might visit another small European country, but he doesn't really know yet. And to Vietnam?
The Pope indicated that there will "certainly" be a trip to Vietnam in the coming years, but it will probably be "XXIV. János" - this is the name he imagines for his successor.
This was not the first time that the Pope made a reference to his successor, and always XXIV. He names him John. He has already joked on Portuguese television about his uncertain participation in the World Youth Summit, given his health problems.
But why XXIV. He is talking about János, why not III. About János Pál or XVII. About Benedict?
As a reminder: the XXIII elected in 1958. Pope János initiated the II. Vatican Council before he died in 1962. So he was a reformer pope of his time, does Pope Francis wish this for his successor as well? Or he gives this name because he was particularly fond of XXIII. Pope János, whose canonization he presided over in 2014?
History does not tell us about this, just as the future will not tell us, since it is impossible to know in advance who will be Ferenc's successor, nor what name he will choose.
All that is revealed is that the Pope likes to joke despite his age and workload, and is perhaps aware of his fragile state of health.
Translated by Judit Solymosi
Source: fr.aleteia.org/zarandok.ma
Featured Image: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images
