Cardinal Omella Zanja Rumors about the health of Pope Francis: what a way to waste time

The former president of the Spanish Episcopal Conference, Cardinal Juan José Omella, settled the rumors and the false news that they have recently circulated on the Internet about the health of Pope Francis.

“What a way to waste time,” he said before the journalists before participating in the press conference organized in the Vatican about the MED 25 Odyssey initiative – Balido Espoir, which will involve more than 200 young people on a boat trip through the Mediterranean .

Cardinal Omella stressed the importance of not getting carried away by speculation at a time when false information on social networks and some media have proliferated, suggesting that the Holy Father could be in critical condition or even have died.

“Today we live in such a complex world where everyone can comment and say the nonsense that occurs to him at night, by day. You know you, who are journalists, how things are going, ”he said.

He also shared his impressions about the health of Pope Francis and assured that “it is much better,” although he acknowledged that he does not have first -hand medical information.

“For what I am reading in the press and for what I have been able to capture here, it seems that it is much better, and that is hopeful news,” he said.

“We are going to see how it reacts, because the important thing is how it responds to medicines. But I think there is hope. He has not lost humor, continues to read and receive people. Did you see that yesterday received President Meloni? Good sign, ”he added.

About a possible resignation

The one who was president of the Spanish bishops was also asked about a possible resignation of the Pontiff.

“I haven’t asked him. It would be a bit indiscreet to do it. The Pope knows what he has to do and, as he is well head, thank God, he will decide, ”he said.

In any case, Cardinal Omella avoided speculating about the existence of interests behind these rumors: “I don’t know where those interests come from, if only from journalists or the Vatican, but I believe that it is rather journalists.”

Some unheathed information have come to insinuate that the cardinals would be preparing meetings in the form of a pre-cochon. Omella responded with irony to the idea that some purpurated may be “plotting” the succession of the pontiff.

“Man, some illusion would already do those who have never been. But nothing. I am looking forward to the Pope really lasts. I think he has launched a good path within the Church. He has marked a course in this jubilee year, especially of hope, ”he said.

The role of the faithful in the Church

In this sense, he stressed the importance of Pope Francis’s vision for the Church, especially in relation to the participation of all the faithful in evangelization.

“The synod also marked us a very important path: the people of God have to participate in evangelization. We are all protagonists. I think that gives us a lot of hope: that the lay people, women, children, older people feel protagonists of the church. It is not just the Church of Bishops and Cardinals, it is from all the people of God. And that the Pope has it very in the heart. He has marked a path of renewal that must be carried out. The more it lasts, the better, to consolidate, ”he concluded.