As resignation speculation swirls, who is in charge if Pope Francis' health falters?
An update on Pope Francis released by the Vatican on Thursday revealed the pope appears to be slowly recovering from his bout with pneumonia and other health issues, good news for hundreds of millions of faithful followers around the globe.
But the daily updates are also reminders that there is no plan in place for when a pope becomes too ill to perform his duties, some experts say.
The Rev. Patrick Flanagan, associate professor of theology and religious studies at St. John’s University in New York, says that it was almost four years ago that Francis himself observed that the church had no provisions in place for an incapacitated pope.
"However, nothing ensued," Flanagan told Paste BN in an email. "Now might be the time when church leadership moves (on) this question."
The pope's predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, was 85 when he resigned for health reasons in 2013, the first pope to step down in more than 600 years. Flanagan said Francis, 88, is fully aware of his health limitations but is "passionate" about serving until his death.
"His good humor and joking all convey a joyful spirit that seeks to lead the Church despite the falls, walkers, wheelchairs and hospital stays that have become a part of his life lately," Flanagan said. "He is also a faithful son of the Church. I believe in the end, he will do what he, in his heart, believes is best for the Church and what God wants."
The Rev. James Bretzke, a theology professor at John Carroll University in University Heights, Ohio, says he doesn't think the pope will resign or have a temporary successor take the church's helm.
"This is not because either of those things are unthinkable," Bretzke said. "But rather because, given his current medical condition as I understand it, we are moving either toward death or a likely recovery. I think either of those two outcomes will become clearer in the next two weeks."
Developments:
∎ The Vatican canceled the "Jubilee audience" the pope was scheduled to have Saturday with the public because of his hospitalization.
∎ For a fourth consecutive night, a rosary prayer vigil was scheduled for 9 p.m. local time in St. Peter’s Square. Thousands have turned out each night to pray for Francis.
Pope's meeting with top officials fuels speculation
Earlier this week, the pope met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican secretary of state, and Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra, the papal chief of staff. The Vatican then announced that a meeting of the pope and cardinals regarding approval of new saints would take place at a date to be determined. It was at a similar gathering of cardinals 12 years ago that Benedict made the stunning announcement of his resignation.
Resignation speculation based on Francis meeting with top-ranking Vatican officials and setting up a meeting of cardinals probably amounts to "a connecting of the dots in a way that doesn't really line up," Bretzke said.
"I think we'd be reading too much into this 'meeting at date to be determined' announcement," Bretzke said. "I think it simply means that given the pope's evolving and uncertain medical condition it was judged imprudent to 'schedule' something like this on a definite day."
Flanagan said Pope Francis could, in the short term, delegate critical responsibilities to Parolin and other key Vatican officials. If Francis does not get better, the College of Cardinals could "gather to evaluate the gravity of the situation and strategize how to best respond," Flanagan said.
Pope showing gradual improvement
The twice-daily reports on the pope's health issued by the Vatican since his hospitalization Feb. 14 continue to show slight improvement. The report released Thursday evening local time said his clinical condition was "confirmed to be improving again today." But it added that "due to the complexity of the clinical picture, further days of clinical stability are necessary before the (guarded) prognosis can be lifted."
The pope alternated respiratory physiotherapy with rest in the morning, the updates said. In the afternoon he had additional therapy, prayed in the chapel of his private hospital apartment, received the Eucharist and "engaged in work activities.“
Should Francis die, what next?
The pope's prognosis remained "guarded" Thursday amid high hopes that he has turned the corner and will get well enough to eventually leave the hospital. Should he die, however, a chain of protocols take place, Flanagan said.
After a mourning period of two to three weeks, the College of Cardinals will gather in the Sistine Chapel to elect a new pope. On the first day of the papal conclave, one ballot is taken, and four on each subsequent day, two in the morning and two in the afternoon. The cardinals vote in secret ballots until a two-thirds majority is reached. White smoke from the Sistine Chapel chimney signals the election of a new pope, while black smoke means no decision yet.
After an election comes the 'we have a pope' announcement
Once a pope is elected, the Cardinal Protodeacon announces, “Habemus Papam” −We have a pope. Flanagan said Dominique Cardinal Mamberti, appointed by Francis in 2024, will be responsible for this.
"After a bit of fanfare in Vatican Square, and the new pope dressing and praying, he will appear at St. Peter’s Basilica, introduce himself, and give the “Urbi et Orbi” blessing – to the city, or church, and the world," Flanagan said.