They said they were inspired by St. Francis’ love for the poor, peace and creation — all priorities for the pope, too, and the Franciscans, one of the largest orders in the Catholic Church. “The life of St.

Pope Francis' age and prolonged illness have revived interest in how papal power is exercised in the Holy See, how it is transferred and under what circumstances.

Francis' age and prolonged illness has revived interest about how papal power is exercised in the Holy See, how it is transferred and under what circumstances.

While the Vatican has detailed laws and rituals to ensure the transfer of power when a pope dies or resigns, they do not apply if he is sick or even unconscious. And there are no specific norms outlining what happens to the leadership of the Catholic Church if a pope becomes totally incapacitated.

Argentines have long waited for Pope Francis to visit the homeland he left in 2013 to become the head of the Roman Catholic Church. With his health delicate as he battles double pneumonia, the return seems increasingly unlikely now to happen.

Pope Francis issued a message thanking volunteers for the "miracle of tenderness" they offer the sick as he continues to recover from double pneumonia.

Pope Francis shares message from hospital bed after ‘gradual improvement’ - The Holy See distributed the message the pope would have delivered at his weekly noon blessing if he were well enough

Cardinal Blase Cupich, the archbishop of Chicago, and Chicago-born Cardinals Robert Prevost and Wilton Gregory would be part of the papal conclave that elects a new pope. Experts say a selection from the United States is unlikely.

According to the Vatican, there have been 266 popes in the Catholic Church starting with St. Peter and going all the way up to the current pontiff, Pope Francis

"The night was quiet, the pope was resting," the Holy See, the Vatican's press office, said in a brief statement on Sunday morning.

With his medical status continuing to be stable, Pope Francis Sunday continued his various treatments and therapies and met with two top aides who informed him about various situations in the church and in the world.