Papacy entering "new" perhaps "final" stage, says Vatican expert<br /><br />Pope Francis' papacy is perhaps entering a "new" and perhaps "final" phase, longtime Vatican expert and author Phil Pullella told Reuters on Sunday, March 23, as the pontiff was discharged from a five-week hospital stay.<br /><br />The 88-year-old pope made his first public appearance since being hospitalized on February 14 on Sunday, greeting crowds from the balcony of his room at Rome's Gemelli hospital. <br /><br />His prolonged illness, age and overall health has prompted renewed speculation about the future of his papacy.<br /><br />Pullella said speculation about a possible resignation has intensified, though Francis previously cautioned against papal resignations becoming a "fashion" after his predecessor, Pope Benedict relinquished office in 2013.<br /><br />REUTERS / VATICAN MEDIA VIDEO<br /><br />Subscribe to The Manila Times Channel - https://tmt.ph/YTSubscribe <br /><br />Visit our website at https://www.manilatimes.net <br /><br />Follow us: <br />Facebook - https://tmt.ph/facebook <br />Instagram - https://tmt.ph/instagram <br />Twitter - https://tmt.ph/twitter <br />DailyMotion - https://tmt.ph/dailymotion <br /><br />Subscribe to our Digital Edition - https://tmt.ph/digital <br /><br />Check out our Podcasts: <br />Spotify - https://tmt.ph/spotify <br />Apple Podcasts - https://tmt.ph/applepodcasts <br />Amazon Music - https://tmt.ph/amazonmusic <br />Deezer: https://tmt.ph/deezer <br />Tune In: https://tmt.ph/tunein<br /><br />#TheManilaTimes<br />#worldnews <br />#popefrancis <br />#vatican
