The history of the Church is a sure teacher in this matter. The longest vacancy of the Apostolic See lasted two years and nine months (from 29 November 1268 until 1 September 1271). It was also the time in which St. Thomas Aquinas lived
(LifeSiteNews) — The safest guiding principle in the crucial question regarding the validity of the papacy of Pope Francis is the prevailing practice in the history of the Church, with which were resolved cases of presumed invalid papal renunciations or elections. In this prevailing practice was shown the The principle of legality applied The human law that regulates the assumption of the papal office or the dismissal from the papal office must be subordinated to the greater good of the whole Church, which in this case is the real existence of the visible head of the Church and the certainty of this existence for all the body of the Church, clergy and faithful. This visible existence of the head and the certainty about it are required by the very nature of the Church. The universal Church cannot exist for a considerable time without a visible Supreme Shepherd, without the successor of Peter, since the vital activity of the universal Church depends on its visible head, such as, for …
Interview with Sister Lucia March 8, 1998 The monthly Catholic Portuguese magazine "Christus," published in Lisbon by an editorial group "Seminary," printed the first interview ever given by Sister Lucia on March 3rd, 1998 . She was the only survivor of the three visionary children to whom our Lady appeared in Fatima, 1917. Sister Lucia was almost 90 years old at the time of the interview. She was living in the Carmelite Convent of Coimbra for half a century and had conversed with Cardinals Anthony Padayatra of India and Ricardo Vidal of the Philippines. Conversion of Russia In the interview granted by Sister Lucia, she was explicit in her allusions about the consecration and conversion of Russia. Sister Lucia did not exclude any important facts. When Our Blessed Mother asked the three children to pray for this intention, she did not know what Russia was. "We thought it was a very bad woman." With time Sister Lucia began to understand the cruelty and the dramatic history of the people of Russia. She herself outlived communism and witnessed the dissolution of the Soviet block. Could this event be interpreted as a sign of Russia’s conversion? To this question, Sister Lucia referred to the man in Russia who "without knowing it, was God’s instrument for the conversion." - Gorbachev? - Yes. The Third Secret Many people associate the apparitions of the Virgin at Fatima with the enigma of the third secret. To the question if the secret had to do with Second Vatican Council, the religious limited her response: "I cannot respond." When she was asked where the third secret is apocalyptic she clarified: "Our Lady did not say it was in the Book of Revelation." But if she does not want the third secret of Fatima to be known, can the Pope make it known? The sister responded with simplicity that the Pope can reveal it if he wishes, "but I recommend for him not to reveal it. If he decides to, I recommend for him to be very prudent." The interview asked is was still having apparitions of Our Lady. Sister Lucia responded, " How curious . . . . I cannot say." Hell- The Virgin also spoke about hell, a theme that had been popular before and was now absent. Sister Lucia’s words were very clear: "Hell is a reality. It is a supernatural fire and not physical. It cannot be compared to fire that burns wood or charcoal." She offered advice to priests on this topic: "Continue preaching about hell because Our Lord himself spoke about hell, and it is in Sacred Scripture. God does not condemn anyone to hell. God gave men the liberty to choose, and God respects this human liberty." Atheism and materialism Sister Lucia recognizes, "atheism is a greater instrument utilized by the devil in our days. It is a grave sin against God that rejects His own existence and allows the practice of a variety of diabolic acts like abortion." As well, she said, "Communism ended, but materialism continues...People should desire more the things of God instead of first desiring the material things." Final Message The Cardinals asked her if she wanted to conclude with anything in particular, a message for the world today. She responded: "He who is not with the Pope is not with God; and he who wants to be with God has to be with the Pope."
I wouldn't necessarily use the word "must". I have doubts and that's a good thing because just like in law "a doubtful command cannot bind" I can hold a mental reservation over the MANY scandalous sayings and actions of Francis. If one believed Francis MUST be Pope, then he MUST be obeyed.