Vatican conservatives are waging a “secret plan” to put Pope Francis under such stress that he resigns, it has been claimed.
The campaign against the Argentinian pontiff began just days after the death of his predecessor, Benedict XVI.
Despite previously stating he will resign if his health deteriorates, it was thought highly unlikely that Francis would decide to step down while Benedict was still alive to avoid there being three Popes living in the Vatican – a situation without precedent that would have embarrassed the Catholic Church.
