Pope wanted to work until the end, archbishop tells BBC

Pope Francis refused to heed advice to slow down in his final few years, preferring to “die with his boots on”, according to a close aide.
In an exclusive interview with the BBC, Archbishop Paul Gallagher, the Vatican’s foreign minister since 2014, said the Pope was driven to carry on because he knew he had an opportunity to help the powerless.
While he describes a polite, gentle and compassionate man, Archbishop Gallagher also said Pope Francis knew his own mind and often defied the advice of those around him.
“One thing I always admired about him – though did not always agree with at first – was that he didn’t run away from difficult things,” said Archbishop Gallagher.
“He would face up to the issues and that showed remarkable courage,” he added.

Source: BBC | Language: English