Pope Francis remains in the hospital, convenes the consistory. Is abdication preparing? Wave of guess

Franciszek's speculation about the future of Francis is gaining strength, because in 2013 Pope Benedict XVI He unexpectedly announced a decision to resign from office just during the consistory about the canonization of martyrs from Otranto in Apulia in the 15th century.

And now there are questions whether during such a meeting with cardinals Franciszek will not want to communicate something more than he announces for now Vatican.

Read also: “It's in a good mood.” The latest information about the Pope's health

As the New York Times writes, “At the beginning of this week, two high -ranking Vatican officials had a secret visit” U Pope Francis in the hospital. Initially, the Vatican did not want to comment on the case, but ultimately confirmed that such a visit took place, explaining that the clergy came to obtain the signature of the Pope, which would allow convening a consistory.

Andreas English, a German journalist and author, who has been dealing with the Vatican for almost 40 years, assessed that the meeting had lit a red light, because none of the two officials had previously dealt with the issues of canonization. “It's very, very strange,” he said, quoted by the New York daily. He added that they were “inappropriate people to the wrong things.”

One of the officials who visited the Pope in the hospital was the Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin. After this visit, he said that the voices about the possible resignation of the Pope were “unnecessary speculation”.

During almost 12 years of the pontificate, Francis presided over ten consistory regarding the appointment of new cardinals and 12 on canonization.

The planned consistory applies to the canonization processes of two blessed. It will take place after the Commission of Cardinals and Bishops in the dicasteries of canonization matters in favor of the Saints of Two secular: Giuseppe Gregorio Hernandez Cisneros Z Venezuela and Bartolo Longo z Italian.

The date of the consistory has not yet been established due to Franciszek's illness and no further forecasts as to its course.

“New York Times” writes that only a few of his closest colleagues probably know about whether Francis is thinking about resignation at all, and maybe even they are not initiated into such considerations.

“As I know him, he would not like a serious disease to divert attention from his papacy,” Austen Ivereigh, a biographer of the Pope, said quoted by “NYT”. “For Francis, it is absolutely necessary for him to have freedom,” he added.

Initially, it was announced that Franciszek would remain in the gemella polyclinice at least until March 2. But after these announcements, his condition has deteriorated and only for two days doctors have been informing about a slight improvement. They also explained that even after the Pope returned to the Vatican, he would have to continue the treatment, which will not be short.

The consistory's announcement can also be interpreted as a clear signal of the Pope's determination to overcome the disease and continue the service, even in a limited formula.