Deacons participate in a mass in St. Peter's Basilica that was once intended to be presided over via Pope Francis. AP Picture/Alessandra Tarantino
For greater than two weeks, eyes had been at the Vatican, anticipating information about Pope Francis’ well being. The pope has been at Rome’s Gemelli Clinic since Feb. 14, 2025, being handled for double pneumonia and different headaches.
When a pope is unwell, resigns or passes away, who steps in? And who else is helping lead the Holy See? The Dialog U.S. requested Daniel Velocity Thompson, a theologian on the College of Dayton, for some perception into Vatican Town.
Who’re probably the most tough other folks on the Vatican, but even so the pope?
The Vatican homes the central executive of the Catholic Church and could also be an unbiased city-state. The pope is each the pinnacle of the Catholic Church and head of state.
As a way to govern each, he has the Roman Curia, which means “court.” In trendy phrases, the Curia is the papal forms. It’s an extension of the pope’s authority.
In Catholic doctrine, the pope has the very best authority within the church. He can workout it on my own or with the School of Bishops, made up of the entire bishops on the planet. Bishops named via the pope to the workplace of “cardinal” can, if underneath 80 years outdated, vote to elect a brand new pope. Some cardinals, however certainly not all, serve within the papal Curia in Rome.
But even so the pope, curial officers who oversee necessary sides of the church’s political and spiritual lifestyles are ceaselessly tough figures. For instance, the secretariat of state, headed via Cardinal Pietro Parolin, oversees members of the family with different nations and world organizations. It additionally oversees the Vatican’s diplomatic corps.
Pope Francis smiles as he walks along Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, left, and Cardinal Giuseppe Versaldi on the Vatican in 2014.
AP Picture/Gregorio Borgia
The Dicastery – “department” – for the Doctrine of the Religion, led via Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, addresses questions on right kind Catholic educating on religion and morals. The Dicastery of Bishops, headed via Cardinal Robert Prevost, coordinates the nominations of latest bishops world wide.
Some of these officers paintings underneath the authority of the pope, advocating for and imposing his schedule. For instance, Prevost has recommended that every one Catholics will have to be concerned within the number of bishops. This concept is related with Francis’ name for a extra “synodal” church: one this is much less hierarchical and formed via lay Catholics’ issues and demanding situations.
If a pope can’t satisfy his tasks, who steps in?
When a pope dies – or resigns, like Benedict XVI did in 2013 – the governance of the Catholic Church officially falls to the School of Cardinals. On the other hand, the authority of the varsity may be very restricted. On their very own, cardinals can’t make any important choices relating to religion, morals and worship. Nor can they undo earlier papal choices or alternate church rules about electing a brand new pope.
All of the heads of the dicasteries lose their workplace upon the dying or resignation of a pope. The School of Cardinals serves as a caretaker executive whose number one function is to arrange for the election of the brand new pope and oversee daily workings of the Vatican.
One cardinal, referred to as the “camerlengo,” is answerable for confirming the pope’s dying or resignation. He then assumes regulate over the pope’s place of dwelling and coordinates the funeral, if wanted. The camerlengo additionally takes custody of the Vatican’s belongings in Rome and supervises main points for the impending conclave.
Cardinal Camerlengo Kevin Farrell talks with The Related Press in his workplace in Rome in 2018.
AP Picture/Paolo Santalucia
The daily industry of the Catholic Church continues, however no large choices may also be made within the absence of a pope. The church can’t appoint new bishops, and the Vatican can’t get started new diplomatic efforts.
Are officers on the Vatican ceaselessly nominated to be pope?
Infrequently. Francis was once a cardinal from Argentina earlier than his election as pope and had no longer served within the Roman Curia. On the other hand, Benedict XVI, Francis’ predecessor, did function the prefect of the Congregation – now referred to as Dicastery – for the Doctrine of the Religion. Some contemporary popes served within the Curia previous of their profession however no longer in an instant earlier than their election.
What do you would like extra other folks understood concerning the Vatican?
3 issues. First, the Vatican is not like any group on the planet. Its spiritual challenge and political standing relaxation on just about 2,000 years of historical past. This sophisticated tale supplies a novel custom that anchors the establishment of the Catholic Church, however too can block the church from important self-examination and renewal.
2d, the Vatican is like each and every group on the planet. Vatican officers may also be devoted to the very best requirements in their faith, actually wishing to serve the church and the average just right of humanity. However they may be able to even be flagrantly immoral, even criminals, and careerist seekers of standing or luxurious. Francis has constantly referred to as out monks and bishops who see themselves as someway awesome via distinctive feature in their workplace or their ordination.
In spite of everything, in comparison with the large bureaucracies of contemporary governments and firms, the Vatican is rather small and no longer as rich as it’s ceaselessly portrayed.
Despite the fact that the Curia manages an unlimited world group, its sources are a ways nearer to my very own midsize Catholic college than to the U.S. executive or Apple. Vatican Town and the Holy See make use of about 2,000 other folks, with an working funds of about US$835 million.
Sure, the Catholic Church has wealth – and the continuing downside of deficits and fiscal corruption. However the Vatican’s sources faded compared to what a contemporary state or massive corporate can muster.
Daniel Velocity Thompson does no longer paintings for, seek the advice of, personal stocks in or obtain investment from any corporate or group that may take pleasure in this text, and has disclosed no related affiliations past their instructional appointment.
