ローマ教皇が冗談「私の死を望む人々もいた」

【ローマＡＦＰ＝時事】ローマ・カトリック教会のフランシスコ教皇（８４）は、自身が結腸の手術を受けた後、枢機卿が自分の後任を選ぶ準備をしていたと述べ、「私の死を望む人々もいた」と冗談を言った。メディアが２１日、報じた。（写真はローマ・カトリック教会のフランシスコ教皇）
　イエズス会の機関誌ラ・チビルタ・カットリカによると、教皇は１２日、スロバキアの首都ブラチスラバで行われたイエズス会の会合で出席者から体調を聞かれ、「まだ生きている。私の死を望む人々もいたようだが」と答えた。
　さらに、「教皇の病状が公表されている内容よりも深刻だと考えた高位聖職者が会議を開き、教皇選挙（コンクラーベ）の準備をしていたことも知っている」と述べた。
　教皇が死亡または退位した場合、枢機卿の中から後任を選出する教皇選挙が非公開で行われる。
　教皇は「神のおかげで私は健在だ。あの手術は望まぬ決断だった」として、「私を説得してくれたのはある看護師だった。看護師は患者と直接接するため、医師よりも状況を理解していることがある」と続けた。
　教皇は７月４日に結腸憩室炎の手術を受け、１０日後に退院した。【翻訳編集ＡＦＰＢＢＮｅｗｓ】

〔ＡＦＰ＝時事〕（2021/09/22-11:06）

Pope Francis joked that some people wanted me dead and cardinals were already preparing to replace him after his colon surgery this summer, according to a media report Tuesday.
The 84-year-old pontiff made the comments during a meeting with fellow Jesuits in Bratislava on September 12, according to Jesuit journal La Civilta Cattolica.
Asked by one of those present how he was, Francis replied: Still alive, even though some people wanted me dead.
I know there were even meetings between prelates who thought the pope's condition was more serious than what was said. They were preparing for the conclave. Ah well!
When a pope dies or retires, cardinals meet in a secret conclave to elect his replacement from among their peers.
Thank God, I'm well. Undergoing that surgery was a decision I didn't want to take, Francis continued.
It was a nurse who convinced me. Nurses sometimes understand the situation more than doctors because they are in direct contact with the patients.
Francis underwent an operation on July 4 after suffering from a type of diverticulitis, an inflammation of pockets that develop in the lining of the intestine. He was discharged from hospital after 10 days.
It is not the first time he has commented on rumours sparked by his health.
After media reports last month that he might step down, he told Spanish radio Cope that it didn't even cross my mind.
Francis was in Bratislava as part of a four-day trip to Slovakia and Budapest.
The Argentine was elected pope in 2013 after the shock resignation of his predecessor, Benedict XVI, who became the first pontiff since the Middle Ages to quit the role.