Francis by Patrick J. Marrin for April 26, 2021

So there have now been a number of strips suggesting that Pope Francis will not live much longer. I have not seen or heard anything about this. Mr. Marrin, if you have some information, I would be grateful if you would share it. Thank you.

These are the ten longest-lived Popes. Francis is presently outlived by seven of them. Leo XIII, the longest-lived, is an outlier by about five years. (Benedict XVI is too, but his age at resignation spelled the end of his papacy.) Assuming Francis will have a more typical life span, three more years would be very unusual. And of course, God can make unusual things happen. And though I think most, believers and non-believers alike, do wish Francis the best of health, these statistics are what they are.

NAME [year elected] (age at death) >>exceptions<<

Leo XIII 1878 (93 years, 140 days)

Clement XII 1730 (87 years, 305 days)

Clement X 1670 (86 years, 9 days)

Benedict XVI 2005 >>85 years, 318 days (resigned), alive 94 years, 8 days<<

Pius IX 1846 (85 years, 270 days)

Innocent XII 1691 (85 years, 107 days)

John Paul II 1978 (84 years, 319 days)

Francis 2013 >>Current Pope 84 years, 128 days<<

Gregory XIII [ 1572] (83 years, 92 days)

Paul IV 1555 (83 years, 51 days)

Francis reminds me of President Ford. He did a good job after President Nixon to repair the image of the American Presidency; so has Francis.

With the long history of intrigues and backstabbing among the high-ranking, I wouldn’t be surprised if he “died” (God forbid)…

Only one strip this week. Maybe it’s ending, rather than the Pope. Didn’t count on the Pope living so long. A common mistake.

oh dear, did Francis end?

I just checked on NCR, where Marrin does this strip (originally, i believe) and there is a new post for Thursday, April 29. So it probably did not make it to GO COMICS for whatever reason. The Thurs cartoon centers around Gabby and Leo, and Ramadan. FYI, All.