Pope says resignation is only "a distant possibility"

(Reuters)- Pope Francis has no intention of resigning, as he feels his health is good enough to allow him to continue, he says in a new book, excerpts of which were published by the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera on Thursday.

"That's a distant possibility, because I don't have serious enough reasons to make me think about giving up," Francis stated in "Life: My Story Through History," a book that will be released in Italian and English on March 19.

Francisco is 87 years old and has become increasingly frail in recent years, using a wheelchair or a cane to get around and, recently, suffering from what has been described as bouts of bronchitis or colds that have limited his public speaking.

However, in the book, he reassures everyone about his condition.

"Thanks to the Lord, I enjoy good health and, God willing, there are still many projects to be accomplished," he said, repeating that he would only consider giving up in the case of a "serious physical impediment."

The Pope again defended his recent decision to allow priests to bless same-sex couples, saying it is the duty of the Catholic Church to welcome everyone and that "God loves everyone, especially sinners."

At the same time, the decision does not imply any change in Catholic doctrine – which recognizes only heterosexual marriages – and if some bishops do not wish to perform blessings for same-sex couples, this will not lead to a schism, Francis added.

Elsewhere in the book, he renewed his condemnation of abortion and surrogacy, and noted that his focus on the poor and marginalized does not make him a communist or a Marxist.

Pope Francis' predecessor, Benedict XVI, was the first pope to resign in about 600 years, citing the strains of old age. He resigned in February 2013 at the age of 85 and continued to live for almost another 10 years, dying at the age of 95.