Pope Francis Says His Tenure May Last Less Than 5 Years

Pope Francis, who was named pontiff two years ago on Friday, said he doesn’t expect to be Pope much longer.

In an interview with the Mexican broadcaster Televisa published Friday, the Argentine Pope predicted a “brief” tenure for himself. “I have the feeling that my pontificate will be brief: four or five years; I do not know, even two or three,” Pope Francis, 78, said. “Two have already passed. It is a somewhat vague sensation.”

“Maybe it’s like the psychology of the gambler who convinces himself he will lose so he won’t be disappointed and if he wins, is happy. I do not know. But I feel that the Lord has placed me here for a short time, and nothing more … But it is a feeling. I always leave the possibility open,” he said.

The Most Surprising Photos of Pope Francis

The wind lifts Pope Francis' mantle as he delivers his speech in front of Independence Hall in Philadelphia, on Sept. 26, 2015.

Tony Gentile—AP

Pope Francis looks at the Statue of Liberty from the window of a helicopter on his way to the John F. Kennedy International Airport, in New York City, on Sept. 26, 2015.

L'Osservatore Romano/AP

A Pope Francis mannequin rides around in a car in Times Square as New York City waits for the arrival of the Pope to the city, on Sept. 24, 2015.

Timothy A. Clary—AFP/Getty Images

Kaydn Dorsey, 4, and Lionel Perkins, 4, draw on a coloring sheet bearing the image of Pope Francis as they wait for him to arrive on a visit to Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington in Washington, on Sept. 24, 2015.

David Goldman—Reuters

Nuns with the Hospitaler Sisters of Mercy in Pleasantville, N.J., pose for a selfie with a cutout of Pope Francis, at the World Meeting of Families conference, in Philadelphia, on Sept. 22, 2015.

Matt Rourke—AP

Pope Francis blows out the candles of a birthday cake to celebrate his 78th birthday during a general audience at the Vatican on Dec. 17, 2014.

Osservatore Romano/AFP/Getty Images

Paying the bill at Rome's Domus Internationalis Paulus VI hotel, where Pope Francis stayed as a cardinal before entering the conclave and being elected pope.

Osservatore Romano/AP

Welcoming Pope emeritus Benedict XVI as he returns to the Vatican from the pontifical summer residence of Castel Gandolfo.

Osservatore Romano/AP

Holding a disabled child after celebrating Easter Mass.

Alessandro di Meo—ANSA/Zuma Press

Pope Francis masks in a factory in Brazil, where the Pontiff took his first overseas trip.

Christophe Simon—AFP/Getty Images

Leading the Worldwide Eucharistic adoration at the Vatican.

Alessandra Benedetti—Corbis

A gust of wind blows the pope's mantle.

Alessandra Tarantino—AP

Attending the opening of the Pastoral Convention of the Diocese of Rome.

Stefano Rellandini—Reuters

Leaving a welcoming ceremony at Guanabara Palace in Rio de Janeiro.

Ricardo Moraes—Reuters

Greeting the weekly General Audience.

Stefano Rellandini—Reuters

Pointing to the statue of Our Lady of Aparecida from the balcony of the Aparecida basilica in Brazil.

Domenico Stinellis—AP

A Catholic faithful in Brazil bears a sticker of Pope Francis on his forehead.

Ueslei Marcelino—Reuters

Images of Pope Francis projected onto screens at Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro.

Paulo Whitaker— Reuters

Departing Rio de Janeiro.

Ricardo Moraes—Reuters

A stray dog walks across the stage near the altar where Pope Francis celebrates the World Youth Day's closing Mass on the Copacabana beachfront.

Victor R. Caivano—AP

Listening to confessions of young people in a park in Rio de Janeiro.

L'Osservatore Romano—EPA

Posing with youths in Saint Peter's Basilica.

L'Osservatore Romano—EPA

Greeting the faithful on a rainy day during the General Audience.

Fabio Frustaci—Eidon Press/Zuma Press

Arriving to lead his General Audience in a firefighter's helmet.

Stefano Rellandini—Reuters

A quiet moment after meeting with Equatorial Guinea's President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo at the Vatican.

Max Rossi—Reuters

Marking the 110th anniversary UNITALSI, a Catholic organization dedicated to helping the sick.

Francesco Zizola—NOOR for TIME

A private Audience with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

L'Osservatore Romano/AP

Keeping warm during a General Audience.

Alessandra Tarantino—AP

Comforting a disfigured man at the end of his General Audience.

Claudio Peri—EPA

Blessing a sick man with deformed facial features.

Evandro Inetti—Zuma Press

Visiting the parish of the Sant'Alfonso Maria de Liguori during the Epiphany day.

L'Osservatore Romano—AFP/Getty Images

Reacting to devotees at a weekly General Audience.

Alessandro Bianchi—Reuters

A seagull attacks a dove released during a prayer conducted by Pope Francis.

Alessandro Bianchi—Reuters

A scarf is tossed at Pope Francis by a faithful.

Tony Gentile—Reuters

Italian artist Mauro Pallotta's superhero rendering of Pope Francis in a street near St. Peter's Basilica.

Alessandra Benedetti—Corbis

Blowing a kiss to pilgrims gathered at Saint Peter's Square.

Vincenzo Pinto—AFP/Getty Images

Meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama in the private library of the Apostolic Palace in Vatican City.

Vatican Pool/Contrasto/Redux

With Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip at the Vatican.

Alessandra Benedetti—Vatican Pool/Corbis

A wind gust lifts Pope Francis's mantle as he arrives at the traditional Washing of the Feet during Holy Thursday.

Alberto Pizzoli—AFP/Getty Images

Kissing a man's at the traditional Washing of the Feet.

Alberto Pizzoli—AFP/Getty Images

Visitors take photos of Pope Francis as he speaks from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican.

Michael Sohn—AP

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The papal post is traditionally held until death, though Francis’s predecessor Pope Benedict XVI resigned in 2013 after roughly seven years in office, becoming the first pope to step down in nearly 600 years. The current Pope has suggested in the past that he would lead a short papacy and he has not ruled out retiring.

In the interview released Friday, Francis said he does not dislike being Pope, but said one thing in particular does bug him. “The one thing that I would like is to go out, without anyone recognizing me, and go to a pizzeria to eat pizza,” Francis said.

Read an English translation of the interview here.

Write to Noah Rayman at noah.rayman@time.com.