What happens to the leadership of the Catholic Church when a pope becomes sick or incapacitated?
How does the Catholic Church elect a new pope? Here's how a conclave works
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What happens to the leadership of the Catholic Church when a pope becomes incapacitated, AP explains
Pope's condition 'slightly improving' on seventh day in hospital
The Vatican reported another slight improvement in Pope Francis's condition on Thursday, as the 88-year-old spent his seventh day in hospital being treated for double pneumonia.
Faithful grapple with worry and hope as Pope critically ill
Faithful gathered at St. Peter's Square in the Vatican and outside Rome's Gemelli Hospital on Monday (February 24) as Pope Francis remains critically ill but alert, according to the Vatican. Could these jumping mice change how astronauts exercise?
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Pope Francis used "ordo amoris" to encourage compassion for all people. Vice President JD Vance used the ancient concept to defend deportations.
What happens to leadership of Catholic Church when a pope becomes sick or incapacitated?
His age and prolonged illness have raised questions about whether he might resign, and revived interest about how papal power is exercised in the Holy See.
Pope Criticizes Trump’s Deportation of Migrants as a Violation of Dignity
In a letter to American bishops, Francis leveled unusually direct criticism at the administration on an issue he has made central to his papacy.
When the pope is sick, Italians always gossip about who comes next - even before 'Conclave'
A pope dies, they make another,” goes one, suggesting how life goes on. “Every death of a pope …” starts another, indicating a rare occurrence. But the one most frequently heard when a pope is actually sick is perhaps the darkest: “The pope is fine until he’s dead.
Vatican says new scans show pope has the onset of bilateral pneumonia but remains in good spirits
Vatican says new scans show pope has the onset of bilateral pneumonia but remains in good spirits. Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast,
Who is in charge when a pope is hospitalized or becomes incapacitated?
Francis' age and prolonged illness has revived interest about how papal power is exercised in the Holy See, how it is transferred and under what circumstances.
Vatican cancels more Holy Year events as pope remains hospitalized with respiratory infection
The Vatican on Tuesday canceled papal audiences through the weekend and delegated others to cover for Pope Francis as the 88-year-old pope remained hospitalized with a multi-pronged respiratory infection.
When the pope is sick, Italians always gossip about who comes next — even before 'Conclave'
The pope looms so large in everyday Italian life that there are lots of expressions that make light of even a dark event like his death. “A pope dies, they make another,” goes one, suggesting how life goes on.
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