Pope Francis could consider resigning if his health deteriorates, Italian Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi said in a radio interview on Thursday.

“If he found himself in a situation where he was compromised in his ability to have direct contact with people, then I believe he might consider resigning,” Mr Ravasi said.

He described the pope’s condition as complex but not critical.

French Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline also did not rule out resignation.

Mr Aveline, at a press conference in the Vatican on Thursday, urged the faithful to pray for Pope Francis.

“He is tired. He is one of those people who has to be taken to the hospital if we really want them to get better. Otherwise, they never recover,” the influential archbishop of Marseille told journalists.

Mr Francis was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Friday last week. There is currently no indication when he might be discharged. The pope had resisted going to the hospital since mid-December despite evident health problems.

Regarding speculation that Mr Francis could follow the example of his predecessor, Benedict XVI, Mr Aveline said: “Everything is possible.”

Benedict XVI resigned in 2013 and lived a secluded life in the Vatican until he died in 2022.

Pope Francis has repeatedly rejected rumours of his possible resignation.

However, some time ago, he announced that he had submitted a signed letter of resignation to the Vatican Secretariat of State at the beginning of his term of office.

This letter would only take effect if he were incapacitated and too severely affected due to a serious illness and could not carry out his duties.

(dpa/NAN)