The Italian rumour mill is in a spin right now as Pope Francis looks to follow in the footsteps of a previous pope and retire early.
He has been in the position since 2013, taking over from Benedict XVI who was in the position for seven years.
Benedict - born Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger - stepped down as Pontiff over his age, but is still alive now at 96.
Most modern popes stay in the job until death, but Ratzinger was the first to resign since Gregory XII 1415.
Argentinian Pope Francis has been one of many firsts, as he the first pope to be born in the Americas.
He is also the first Jesuit pope, first to celebrate mass on the Arabian Peninsula and the first non-composed regal name since Pope Lando in 913.
However, his historic run as head of the Catholic Church could be coming to a close early, as he announces a summer dinner plan that many are interpreting as a sign of his retirement.
Is Pope Francis retiring?
Currently, any speculation over Pope Francis’ retirement is just that, merely rumour.
But he has arranged a dinner in August, exactly as a previous pope did to announce his retirement.
He will be heading to the Italian city of L’Aquila later this summer for a feast.
It is exactly what Pope Celestine V did, one of the few pontiffs who resigned in the historical tradition.
Francies has sent the Italian media into a frenzy, with rumours now running rampant that the feast will bring his tenure to a close.
In the last week, he has announced a consistory to create 21 new cardinals ahead of the dinner.
Sixteen of these new cardinals are under the age of 80 and therefore eligible to vote in a conclave to elect a successor if Francis does retire.
It comes after the Pope suffered from numerous health problems in recent years, making walking difficult for him.
Pope Francis' health
In recent years, Pope Francis has been suffering from numerous health issues.
He has sciatica, a condition that causes severe pain in the lower back and legs, which caused him to cancel several public appearances in 2021.
In the same year, he underwent surgery due to diverticulitis, which is inflammation of the diverticula - pockets that form in the lining of the intestine.
Over the course of the last few months, he has even had trouble getting around, so he uses a wheelchair as he finds walking painful
