Pope Francis hints he might one day retire

c. 2014 Religion News Service

VATICAN CITY (RNS) Addressing journalists on the return trip from his intense five-day visit to South Korea late Monday (August 18), Pope Francis bantered with reporters and lightheartedly said he may only have “two or three” years left to live.

The 77-year-old pontiff covered a range of topics on the flight back to the Vatican—from war-torn Iraq and his desire to visit the U.S. next year to his personal health, hinting he may retire early.