Pope Francis' Decision To Cancel Africa Trip Fuels Rumours Over Resignation
NDTV
Experts say the rumours within the insular Roman Curia are nothing new, and often fuelled by those with an interest.
Pope Francis has fuelled the rumour mill with a postponed Africa trip and the curious timing of an upcoming meeting of cardinals. The speculations were renewed by the announcement about his proposed travel to L'Aquila in central Italy in late August - similar to other popes who have retired.
Speculations arose in early May after the 85-year-old appeared in public using a wheelchair for the first time due to pain in his knee.
The 85-year-old cancelled his proposed Africa trip in July due to forced use of a wheelchair.
"At the request of his doctors, and in order not to jeopardize the results of the therapy that he is undergoing for his knee, the Holy Father has been forced to postpone, with regret, his Apostolic Journey to the Democratic Republic of Congo and to South Sudan, planned for 2 to 7 July, to a later date to be determined," Matteo Bruni, the director of the Holy See Press Office, said in a statement recently.
