Pope Francis Takes One Action As He Senses He Is Closer To Death By the Day

• 88-year-old Pope Francis has been hospitalised raising concerns about the leadership of the Catholic Church and discussions about succession
• Despite his declining health, he has taken key steps to shape the church’s future, including extending Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re’s tenure
• With Francis' progressive reforms and clashes with conservative factions, analysts have predicted the papal transition to be highly charged

Pope Francis is taking crucial steps to shape the future of the Catholic Church as concerns over his health grow.

The 88-year-old pontiff, who has battled respiratory issues for years, was recently hospitalised with severe bronchitis, forcing him to cancel several public engagements.

Pope's ailing health sparks urgent decisions

Reports indicate that Pope Francis has been experiencing significant discomfort and has confided in close aides about his uncertainty regarding recovery.

Medical experts monitoring his condition have described it as a 'complex clinical picture', with signs of worsening respiratory complications.

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“The pope initially resisted hospitalisation. But doctors made it clear that remaining at the Vatican posed a serious risk to his health," a Vatican insider stated.

His recent hospitalisation has raised concerns about his ability to continue leading the church, prompting discussions about succession within the Vatican, as reported by Politico.

Pope Francis moves to secure his legacy

Despite his declining health, Pope Francis has been making strategic moves to solidify his legacy. Before his hospitalisation, he extended the tenure of Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re as the dean of the College of Cardinals.

This decision ensures that a trusted figure will oversee preparations for a potential papal conclave.

A Vatican official explained the significance of this move:

“Francis wants to ensure continuity in Church leadership, and extending Cardinal Re’s term is a step toward that goal.”

Additionally, in a groundbreaking decision, the pope accelerated the appointment of Sister Raffaella Petrini as the first female governor of Vatican City.

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The announcement came earlier than expected, fueling speculation about his urgency in finalising key reforms.

As discussions about papal succession intensify, analysts suggest that the political climate surrounding the Vatican could influence the selection of the next pope.

Pope Francis has been a vocal advocate for inclusivity and reform, often clashing with conservative factions within the Catholic Church.

“There are many forces at play,” noted a Vatican observer. “Some want to preserve his legacy, while others seek a shift in direction.”

Though Pope Francis remains active in Vatican affairs, his latest health struggles suggest that a transition may be approaching sooner rather than later. For now, the world watches as he continues to shape the Church’s future, even in the face of declining health, the New York Times reports.

Expert speaks on Pope's potential complications, recovery concerns

A medical expert, Dr. Odunola Olabintan, has reacted to potential complications that could impact Pope Francis' recovery from severe bronchitis.

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Pope Francis in critical condition as reports say he 'slept well' through the night

Asked about the possibilities of a quick recovery, given his age, history of respiratory issues, and knee problems, she told Legit.ng that any assessment of the Pope’s condition would lack accuracy without access to his medical history.

"Any comments would be based on information online and not on his actual medical history, so it’ll be biased," she stated.

Pastor breaks down plan against Pope Francis

Legit.ng also previously reported that a Nigerian pastor, Robert Jr, called for prayers for Pope Francis, saying there was a plan against him.

In a Facebook post on Tuesday, Robert Jr, who had prophesied about Davido's twins, said he was interceding for the Catholic Church leader.

Editorial assistant Ololade Olatimehin provided exclusive commentary from a medical expert for this report.

Proofreading by Nkem Ikeke, journalist and copy editor at Legit.ng.

Source: Legit.ng