I have signed my resignation letter – Pope Francis

Catholic pontiff, Pope Francis disclosed signing his resignation letter about a decade ago in case poor health prevent him from carrying out his duties.

The Catholic Pontiff turned 86 on December 17, and he celebrated 53 years as a priest on December 13.

Speaking with the Spanish newspaper ABC, the Pope said he handed over the letter to the Vatican’s secretary of state, Tarcisio Bertone in 2013.

Pope Francis who in the past said that he would step down from the papacy should health problems keep him from his duties.

disclosed: “I have already signed my renunciation. I signed it and said: ‘If I should become impaired for medical reasons or whatever, here is my resignation.”

On if he wants this revealed to the world, he said: “That’s why I’m telling you. I think that at my age and with this limitation, I have to save myself a little bit to be able to serve the Church. Or, alternatively, to think about the possibility of stepping aside.”