Francis has said that he would consider resigning after his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, “opened the door” and became the first pope in 600 years to retire, in 2013.
The Vatican has issued a nine-word statement on the condition of Pope Francis, who is critically ill in hospital battling double pneumonia.
On Tuesday, the Vatican stated that the Pope's condition remained critical for the fourth consecutive day, but that he was stable and had not experienced any further respiratory issues.
However, Giovanna Chirri, a reporter for the Italian news agency ANSA who broke the story of Benedict’s resignation, said that she didn’t think Francis would follow suit “even if some would want it”.
The 88-year-old Pope is spending his 13th day at Rome's Gemelli hospital, marking his longest stay since he began his papacy 12 years ago.
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