- .Frank comments may lead to speculation about Francis's health
- .The 77-year-old's vigour and energy have been key to his popularity
- .But he admits to having 'some nerve problems' which require treatment
- .He also raises the possibility he might retire, like his predecessor
'Two or three years': Pope Francis gave a startling admission of his own mortality to journalists at an in-flight press conference aboard his Papal jet as it flew back to Italy after his visit to South Korea
Pope Francis has spoken publicly about the prospect of his own death for the first time, giving himself 'two or three years' before he meets his maker.
In a press conference aboard his jet as he returned from a trip to South Korea, Francis also mentioned the possibility of retiring from the Papacy if he felt he could no longer perform his duties.
His predecessor, Benedict XVI stepped down last year, an almost-unprecedented move that opened the way for Francis's accession to the Papal throne.
'I see it as the generosity of the people of God. I try to think of my sins, my mistakes, not to become proud. Because I know it will last only a short time,' he said.
Then, apparently light-heartedly, he added: 'Two or three years and then I'll be off to the Father's House.'
While the Pope has not spoken publicly before about when he might die, a Vatican source said he had previously told those close to him that he thought he only had a few years left.
Although the Francis is 77, he has been the most vigorous Pope in years, his energy proving the key to his popularity.
His frank admission may lead commentators to speculate as to whether he has any undisclosed health problems.
At the time of his elevation to the Papacy, reports emerged that Francis had a lung removed when he was a teenager in Argentina after suffering an infection.
Dr William Schaffner, chairman of preventive medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee, said at the time: 'Obviously, this was a success because here he is at age 76.
'So whatever they did got him over that precarious period.'
As people age they generally become more susceptible to lung infections, such as pneumonia and bronchitis, according to the National Institutes of Health.
The risk increases if they have pre-existing conditions such as a weakened immune system or heart disease.
But today Francis only admitted that he had 'some nerve problems', which required treatment.
'Must treat them well, these nerves, give them mate (an Argentine stimulant tea) every day,' he joked.
'One of these neuroses, is that I'm too much of a homebody,' he added, recalling that the last time he'd taken a holiday outside of his native Argentina was 'with the Jesuit community in 1975'.
'Then I'll be off to the Father's house': Francis also mentioned the possibility of retiring from the Papacy if he felt he could no longer perform his duties, like his predecessor Benedict XVI did last year
Resigning the papacy, as his predecessor Benedict XVI did last year, was also a possibility 'even if it does not appeal to some theologians', Francis told reporters.
He added that 60 years ago it was practically unheard of for Catholic bishops to retire, but nowadays it was common.
As the jet travelled through Chinese airspace, Francis also addressed the issues surrounding the Catholic Church in that country, which refuses to allow Catholics to officially recognise the spiritual leadership of the Vatican.
Since the communist revolution, Catholicism, like all religions, has been permitted to operate only under the supervision of the State Administration for Religious Affairs.
Questions: Francis's admission may lead commentators to speculate as to whether the 77-year-old has any undisclosed health problems. He only admitted to having 'some nerve problems', which required treatment
Pope Francis leaves after talking to the media: He also addressed the issues surrounding the Catholic Church in China, which refuses to allow Catholics to officially recognise to Pope's spiritual leadership
Clergy who resisted this have been subject to oppression, including long imprisonments, torture and even martyrdom.
Pope Francis told reporters he wants dialogue with China and the only thing he asks in return is for the Catholic Church to be able to operate freely.
The pope told reporters the church 'only asks to have freedom to do its work. No other conditions.'
'The Holy See is open to all contacts,' he said. 'Because it has true esteem for the Chinese people.'
Life after Pope: Benedict's quiet days of prayer as Pope Emeritus
Pope Benedict XVI's resignation last February made him the first Catholic leader to step down in nearly 600 years.
He gave his age as his reason, but at the age of 85 and 318 days on the date of his retirement, he was only the fourth-oldest man to hold the office.
The move was unexpected since in modern times all popes have stayed in office until death. He is regarded as the first pope to have resigned without any political pressure since Celestine V in 1294.
'A life dedicated to prayer': Benedict XVI, Pope Emeritus, is helped to a chair in his garden at the Vatican
Benedict said at the time he had chosen to step aside because the physical and mental demands of the Papacy were taking their toll on his deteriorating strength.
According to a statement from the Vatican, the timing of the resignation was not caused by any specific illness but was to "avoid that exhausting rush of Easter engagements".
Since stepping down Benedict, who decided not to revert back to his birth name Joseph Ratzinger, has held the title of Pope Emeritus and has continued living in the Vatican.
He has continued to wear the white raiments of the Catholic Church's highest office, but has dispensed with the over-the-shoulder cape that cardinals and bishops wear.
As he stepped down, Benedict declared he would continue to serve the church 'through a life dedicated to prayer'. Vatican officials have since revealed he does not live a cloistered life, but spends time writing and studying.
On the eve of the first anniversary of his resignation, Benedict wrote to Italian paper La Stampa to deny speculation he had been forced to step down.
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