77-year-old says he may 'soon be off to the Father's house' and would retire if he could no longer perform his duties.
Pope Francis
has publicly broached the prospect of his own death for the first time,
light-heartedly giving himself "two or three years" but not ruling out
retirement before then.
Talking to reporters on a flight back to the Vatican from South Korea, the 77-year-old pontiff, who seemed in good spirits, was asked about his global popularity, which was evident again during his five-day visit.
"I see it as the generosity of the people of God. I try to think of my sins, my mistakes, not to become proud. Because I know it will last only a short time. Two or three years and then I'll be off to the Father's house," he replied.
Talking to reporters on a flight back to the Vatican from South Korea, the 77-year-old pontiff, who seemed in good spirits, was asked about his global popularity, which was evident again during his five-day visit.
"I see it as the generosity of the people of God. I try to think of my sins, my mistakes, not to become proud. Because I know it will last only a short time. Two or three years and then I'll be off to the Father's house," he replied.
Pope Francis also led prayers during his meeting with journalists aboard the papal flight on the journey
Pope Francis smiles as he speaks while aboard the flight to Seoul
Francis poses for a selfie with South Korea's reporter Ae Ko Jung as he meets journalists aboard the flight to Seoul
South Korean President Park Geun-Hye
(left) greets Pope Francis upon his arrival to the country at an airbase
in Seongnam, south of Seoul
Pope Francis laughs with bishops as
he signs the guestbook during a meeting with the bishops of Korea at the
headquarters of the Korean Episcopal Conference
Daily Mail, theguardian
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