There were voices of concern that the pope's illness might create a vacuum of leadership for the church, and talk of a possible resignation.

Discussions about Wilkens's possible resignation actually began at least a week ago, but nothing became final until Saturday morning.

"I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Miss Lewinsky," he said, after a weekend of talk show chatter about possible Presidential resignation.

He didn't speak about a possible resignation and was not asked about that.

But he had not specifically tied the time frame of this prediction to the possible resignation of party leaders.

"Samsung chairman hints at possible resignation", hanqyere newspaper, April 11, 2008.

Now his possible resignation and the possibility of a coup are openly and frequently discussed.

"My possible resignation is not excluded."

In the last few months, the Pope's illnesses have again raised delicate questions about a possible resignation in the case of mental or physical incompetence.

However, this is why there are foreign policy criteria and possible resignations from Bulgarian ministers.