Pope Francis has obvious health problems, but he has shown an extraordinary ability to resist. The last operation went well and she will likely be back to activity in a few days. However, it is not certain that he will continue the mission to the end.
With Benedict XVI gone, it is entirely possible that he will end up resigning. There are those who point to World Youth Day (WYD) as one of the Holy Father’s last acts, a hypothesis that certainly entered into his considerations, especially in times like the one he’s been through this week. The doubt, at this point, was whether he would be in a position to take part in the Lisbon flight. There is only one plan, insist organizers insist, and that is Francisco F. This is understandable, but it would be worth starting to think about Plan B as well. WYD only makes sense if it exists.
It was the Pope, John Paul II, who gave rise to these events, and until now, they have all been attended by the head of the Catholic Church. But if Francisco can’t travel to Lisbon, what do you do? Is the event postponed or is it replaced with a number that says little or nothing to the younger participants? He probably won’t pop the question and the pope will make a last-ditch effort to be present, but just in case there’s a plan B, it’s really good to have a plan B.
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