ROME—Pope Francis has been a vocal figure on the topics of illness, aging, and mortality. In recent times, his own health battles have prompted a transparent approach from the Vatican, as evidenced by the publicly disclosed daily updates on his recovery from pneumonia. As of Monday, medical reports have confirmed that the Pope is no longer in critical condition but will remain under hospital care for further treatment.
At 88, Pope Francis navigates a legacy shaped in part by past papacies, including that of St. John Paul II, who battled Parkinson’s disease. Unlike the secrecy that surrounded John Paul’s health, Francis has chosen openness. His transparency traces back to his early papacy initiatives, extending even to a revealing interview with an Argentine doctor, which was later published in a 2021 book exploring his mental and physical health. Recently, the Pope recorded a message from the hospital that showcased the vulnerability of his voice.
Pope Francis has often expressed his thoughts on aging, criticizing society’s tendency to marginalize the elderly within a consumerist framework. He has been a proponent of integrating seniors into the fabric of daily life, drawing from his advocacy for Pope Benedict XVI’s continued involvement in church affairs post-retirement. His consistent messages underscore the wisdom and heritage that older generations offer, as he articulated in his 2010 work “On Heaven and Earth.”
Reflecting on life’s finitude, Francis has shared wisdom from his grandmother who reminded him of mortality from a young age, a lesson that remained impactful throughout his life. This perspective on death was notably revisited during a speech in 2018, underscoring the inevitability of life’s end.
In terms of his health history, Francis has been candid. This was illustrated through the Argentine journalist and physician Dr. Nelson Castro’s 2021 publication, “The Health of Popes.” This book came to fruition after Francis himself encouraged a comprehensive look at the papal health narrative, including his own experiences with significant health issues. Among these revelations were details of his past lung surgery, gallbladder removal, and other ailments, as well as his psychological struggles during Argentina’s military dictatorship.
The Pope’s openness regarding his experiences with therapy reveals his pragmatic approach to mental health, emphasizing the importance of understanding human psychology for clergy members. This balanced approach extends even to his views on personal neuroses, which he humorously suggested should be treated as lifelong companions.
Regarding his mortality, Pope Francis acknowledged early in his pontificate that he did not envision a lengthy term. Back in 2014, he remarked on the brevity of his tenure, contemplating the proximity of death without fear. Reflecting on his legacy, he has even planned for his eventual resting place at St. Mary Major basilica, preferring its proximity to a cherished icon over burial at the Vatican.
Francis’s remarks in 2023 about future papal visits to Vietnam further underscore his awareness of the temporal nature of his role, jestingly referring to a potential successor, John XXIV, who might undertake future endeavors. Through these admissions and plans, Pope Francis maintains a focused clarity on his mission and its continuity beyond his own life.
