Edom Gives Itself 2-3 Years to Live

Arutz Sheva:

Pope Francis believes that he still has a maximum of three years left to live, he told reporters Monday, and indicated that he is considering early retirement.

"Another two or three years, and God will take me," Francis said, speaking to reporters on his way back to the Vatican from South Korea. According to reporters on the plane, the pope was generally in high spirits despite the grim prediction.

Francis, 77, was elected in March last year. The current Pope has not been in the best of health throughout his life; he lost one of his lungs in his 20s after a serious illness, and has undergone several surgeries in recent years. Vatican officials have hinted in the past that Francis may also have trouble walking.

However, Monday night was the first time Francis himself spoke about his medical condition in public.

The Pope said that he might resign in future, "even if it is not received favorably by some theologians."

He said that 60 years ago, Catholic bishops "would not dare to even think about such a possibility," but today the situation is different.

"Benedict the 16th opened the door," Francis said, mentioning his predecessor, who resigned unexpectedly due to his unstable health condition.

Of course, many people will bring up how a Xtian monk "prophesied" almost 900 years ago, according to some interpretations, that this would be the last pope, after which Rome would be destroyed.

I don't put much stock in those "prophecies", but I do consider things Rav Fish has said about him.

With Hashem's help, we will soon witness the fulfillment of ורב יעבד צעיר interpreted as read without the comma after the word ורב.  May that happen speedily in our days.