Pope Francis only expects to live for 'two or three years'

Pope Francis only expects to live for 'two or three years'
(Image credit: Pool/Getty Images)

During a recent interview with reporters, Pope Francis said he only expects to live for a few more years and could see himself retiring from being the Church's leader one day.

Francis suggested he has "two or three years" left to live, saying he may soon be "off to the Father's house." He also said he may resign from the papacy "even if it does not appeal to some theologians."

"I try to think of my sins, my mistakes, not to become proud. Because I know it will last only a short time," Pope Francis said. "Two or three years and then I'll be off to the Father's house."

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Francis cited "nerve problems" as the reason he doesn't expect a longer life. "One of these neuroses is that I'm too much of a homebody."

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Meghan DeMaria is a staff writer at TheWeek.com. She has previously worked for USA Today and Marie Claire.