 In 2017, he said provisions of "Amoris Laetitia" allow people in irregular marriage access to the sacraments only if they recognize their situation is sinful and desire to change it.The fact that such a couple also believes changing the situation immediately by splitting would cause more harm and forgoing sexual relations would threaten their current relationship does not rule out the possibility of receiving sacramental absolution and Communion.A month after Coccopalmerio's 80th birthday, Pope Francis accepted his resignation and named Filippo Iannone to succeed him.