Pope Francis: I only have 2/3 more years to live

Pope Francis has spoken publicly for the first time about his own death, suggesting that he only has two to three years to live, and may retire before then, The Telegraph reported. 

Francis, 77, made the claims on Tuesday during a press conference on his flight back from a hectic, five-day visit to South Korea.

Asked how he is coping with his huge popularity, the pontiff replied: “I try to think of my sins, my mistakes, so as not to think that I am somebody. Because I know this will last a short time, two or three years, and then to the house of the Father.”

He then made a chopping gesture with his hand and whistling noise.
On the plane Francis again backed the decision by his predecessor Pope Benedict to retire -- the first pope to do so in 600 years – and suggested he might do the same.

“Let us think about what he said,” Francis said of Benedict. “I have got old, I do not have the strength. It was a beautiful gesture of nobility, of humility and courage.”