As he recovers from pneumonia in the hospital, Pope Francis has increasingly handed off his day-to-day responsibilities to cardinals as questions swirl about the near and long-term future of his papacy.

Pope Francis entered his fourth week in hospital with double pneumonia on Saturday, increasingly handing off his day-to-day duties.

Pope Francis is continuing his recovery from double pneumonia as the Vatican’s Holy Year is proceeding without him.

As members of the Roman Curia gather nightly to pray for Pope Francis’s health and recovery, they are doing so while seemingly ignoring his reforms, particularly on the issue of women and their inclusion in leadership.

Pope Francis is on the mend, showing a slight improvement in his health, which has allowed him to welcome a visit from Cardinal Pietro Parolin. They discussed important matters concerning the Vatican,

Pope Francis remains in the hospital, having delegated many responsibilities due to his health. Despite discussing resignation, Francis maintains he has no plans to step down, citing good health and ongoing projects.

A Vatican statement said doctors decided to keep Francis’s prognosis guarded, meaning he is not out of danger.

Pope Francis on Monday received a visit from Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and the Substitute for General Affairs Mons. Edgar Pena Parra at Rome's Agostino Gemelli Hospital, the Vatican press office said in a bulletin on Tuesday.

most importantly that Francis had met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra, the Vatican "substitute" or chief of staff. It was the first known time the pope had met with Parolin, who is essentially the Vatican prime minister ...