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TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis, is reported to remain critically ill on Tuesday, 25 February 2025, but the Vatican said his condition has seen a slight improvement.
"The clinical conditions of the Holy Father, in their critical nature, show a slight improvement," reads the health update. The Pope, according to a statement quoted by Reuters, is still receiving oxygen, albeit with slightly reduced flow and percentage of oxygen.
The 88-year-old pope has spent 11th night at the Gemelli Hospital in Rome. This is his longest hospital stay during his nearly 12-year papacy. Thus arises the question: who leads the Catholic Church when the pope is ill or incapacitated?
According to an article published by Times of India, the Vatican has laws and rituals in place to transfer papal power when a pope dies or resigns. But these provisions do not cover illness or unconsciousness, which means Pope Francis remains responsible for the Catholic Church.
How Does Canon Law Regulate Papal Vacancy?
Canon Law clearly regulates when a bishop is unable to lead his diocese due to incapacity, exile, or other reasons. However, no such rule applies to the pope.
Canon 335 states that if the Holy See becomes "vacant or entirely impeded," no changes can be made to its governance, with no defined outline to what a papal vacancy is in this situation.
A group of canon lawyers proposed in 2021 for the college of cardinals to assume governance in the case of “totally impeded see.” If the incapacity is temporary, the draft proposes a commission to oversee church affairs with the pope undergoing regular medical examination.
The topic was initially considered sensitive and controversial but later gained support, including from Pope Francis’ canon lawyer, Cardinal Gianfranco Ghirlanda. He acknowledged the need for guidelines if a pope becomes permanently unable to perform his duties, although the key question remains: who has the authority to declare that a pope can no longer rule?
Ghirlanda has suggested that a panel of medical experts assess the pope's condition. If they decide that his condition is irreversible, the Rome-based cardinals would then formally declare his incapacity, thus initiating the process of a papal conclave.
What is the Status of the Resignation Letter Submitted by Pope Francis?
At the beginning of his papacy, Pope Francis wrote a resignation letter, to be used if he is medically unable to lead. The letter was reportedly in the hands of the then-Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone.
Canon law requires a papal resignation to be made freely and known to the public, as was the case when Pope Benedict XVI resigned in 2013. However, without official confirmation regarding the conditions described in Francis's letter, it is unclear whether the resignation would be considered valid in practice.
What Happens When a Pope Dies or Resigns?
The papal transition only occurs when a Pope passes away or resigns, during which the camerlengo—currently Cardinal Kevin Farrell—manages Vatican’s administration and finances.
The camerlengo also certifies the pope's death, seals his apartment, and oversees the preparations for the funeral before a conclave is held to elect his successor.
However, the camerlengo has no authority if a Pope is ill or unable to perform his duties. Similarly, the head of the college of cardinals, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, has no formal role unless the papacy is vacant.
How is Work at the Vatican Carried Out at Present?
Although certain doctrinal issues require direct attention from the Pope Francis, senior Catholic cardinals and other Vatican officials can make many daily decisions that govern the Catholic Church, Reuters reported. Around 70 departments and offices in the microstate of Rome also remain open.
In addition to releasing the latest information on the Pope's condition, the Vatican press office also continues to publish daily bulletins as usual with announcements of papal decisions, most of which were likely approved by Francis long before he was hospitalized for respiratory issues on February 14.
On Saturday, the first day of the Pope's hospitalization, the press office announced that Francis had appointed a woman for the first time, Raffaela Petrini, to take on a role similar to that of the governor of Vatican City. The Pope had previously mentioned his plans, and Petrini will start working in March.
Meanwhile, prominent figures, including senior Catholic cardinals, continue their roles as usual and proceed with their travel plans.
TIMES OF INDIA | REUTERS
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