By Daniel Payne
CNA Staff, Feb 26, 2025 / 11:10 am
Pope Francis entered the hospital for treatment of bronchitis on Feb. 14. Almost two weeks later, doctors say the pope — who contracted a case of double pneumonia while at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital and experienced a “respiratory crisis” on Saturday — will remain in the facility while recovering due to his “complex” medical situation.
An extended hospital stay for one of the most important international figures in the world may raise the question: Who exactly runs the Vatican when a pope is hospitalized or unable to perform his normal duties?
Matthew Bunson, vice president and editorial director of EWTN News and the author of numerous books on Catholicism including “Encyclopedia of Catholic History,” told CNA that although Pope Francis has been in the hospital for almost two weeks, he has continued at least some oversight of Vatican affairs.
Bunson pointed to coverage by ACI Stampa, CNA’s Italian-language news partner, which reported that the pope earlier this week met with his secretaries at Gemelli while recovering from his illness.
“So he’s clearly still in touch with the Vatican and is still making decisions,” Bunson said.
In such cases, he said, “the machinery of state tends to keep functioning until such time as we enter into an interregnum” — the period in between popes.
Andreas Widmer, an associate professor of practice in entrepreneurship at The Catholic University of America’s Busch School of Business and former Swiss Guard at the Vatican, likewise said much of the Vatican’s administration continues even when the pope is sick.
“Things keep going.
As a former Swiss Guard under Pope John Paul II, Widmer maintains close ties with the Vatican. “He is kept appraised by Vatican officials,” Widmer shared, referring to the current hospitalization of Pope Francis. According to Widmer, the pope is still actively engaged in his duties, albeit perhaps not at his usual pace.
Interestingly, some popes have addressed the possibility of resignation in advance. Pope Paul VI, for example, wrote a letter in 1965 stating that in case of incapacity, he should be considered resigned. Despite this, Pope Paul continued to serve for another 13 years until his passing.
In a surprising revelation in 2022, Pope Francis admitted that he had signed his resignation early in his pontificate. This document was entrusted to Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, then-Vatican Secretary of State, to be activated in case of medical incapacitation. However, the pope later clarified in his biography that he sees the Petrine ministry as a lifelong commitment unless faced with severe physical limitations.
Widmer emphasized the seriousness with which popes approach their responsibilities, indicating that they do not leave such matters unresolved. Similarly, Bunson highlighted the preparations made during St. John Paul II’s declining health towards the end of his pontificate, signaling the possibility of an interregnum.
For now, the Roman Curia continues to operate as usual, with preparations in place for any eventuality. In the unfortunate event of a pope’s passing, the camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church assumes a crucial role in the immediate administration of the Vatican.
