After all his overseas visits were cancelled due to the pandemic, the Pope is set to make what will be his first trip in more than a year. Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said the Pontiff will visit Baghdad, Iraq's capital, and Ur, a city linked to the Old Testament figure of Abraham. The 83-year-old will also head to Erbil, Mosul and Qaraqosh in the Nineveh plains, during his trip in March 2021.

But some do not expect it to happen. 

Francis took over the papacy in 2013, following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI – a controversial move and the first of its kind in more than five centuries.

And a source close to the Church claimed he could do the same thing.

Austen Ivereigh, the former Director for Public Affairs of the previous Archbishop of Westminster – Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor – claimed: "I don't think there's ever been any doubt that he will resign in 2020.