Pope Francis dismisses rumors of resignation after injury

Pope Francis has denied rumors of his resignation as head of the Catholic Church.

The 85-year-old told Reuters on Saturday he was not considering retiring just yet.

Rumors began to swirl after many thought upcoming big events on his calendar — like a visit to the town of L’Aquila — meant he was contemplating hanging up his miter for good.

“All of these coincidences made some think the same ‘liturgy’ would take place,” he said of the whisper. “But it never occurred to me. At the moment no, at the moment no. For real!”

Despite this, the Pope said he could one day resign – much like Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. did in 2013.

The Bishop of Rome revealed he was confined to a wheelchair for over a month due to his recent health problems after suffering a “minor fracture” in his knee.

The Argentine-born Pope has been using a cane for months after developing knee problems.

He said things are “slowly getting better” with the laser and magnet therapy.

Francis, who was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio and was elected pope in March 2013, was planning to visit Congo and South Sudan this week but was told by doctors to skip the trip.

He said he still plans to travel to Canada on July 24 and hopes to visit Russia and Ukraine later this year.

With mail wires