Pope Francis speaks to journalists aboard the papal flight again from Canada (Image: AP)

Pope Francis has said he might in the future resign if serious health problems prohibit him from being able to run the church.

He made the comments on the end of a trip to Canada wherein he apologised to indigenous other folks over the abuse at Catholic-run colleges and likened their treatment to a cultural ‘genocide’.

Speaking To journalists at the papal flight again to Rome, the 85-year-old mentioned: ‘It’s now not strange.

You can modification the pope.’

Francis stated that while he has now not thought to be resigning prior to now, he realises he has to no less than slow down.

He added: ‘i feel at my age and with these boundaries, i’ve to avoid wasting my power to be in a position to serve the church, or on the contrary, think about the possibility of stepping aside.’

This penitential pilgrimage was once tricky for Francis, and featured a couple of moments whilst he used to be obviously in pain as he modified from seating to status.

He used a wheelchair, walker and cane to get around, sharply proscribing his programme and skill to mingle with crowds.