Who is the Vatican? Pope Pope Francis needs to know what happens in the fairness of health

Eyes for more than two weeks were waiting for the Vatican, the news Pope Francis’ Health. The Pope has been treated for double pneumonia and other complications at the Roman Gemelli Hospital since February 14, 2025.

When a Pope is sick, whom does he resign or move? And who else helps to look sacred? The conversation asked the United States Daniel Speed ​​ThompsonFor some ideas in the Vatican city of Dayton University, Vatican.

Who are the strongest people in the Vatican other than the Pope?

The central government of the Vatican Catholic Church is a state of independent. The Pope is both the head of the Catholic Church and the head of state.

There is to handle both Rome Curiameaning “court”. From a modern point of view, Curia Papal is bureaucracy. It is an extension of the Pope’s authority.

In the Catholic Doctrine, the pope has the highest reputation in the church. The world consists of all the bishops in the world, can carry it alone or with bishop college. The Bishop, named Papa’s Cardinal office, though under 80 years old, Vote to choose a new pope. Some cardinals, but without anything, serve in the papal Curia in Rome.

In addition to the Pope, regular officials, which control the important aspects of the political and religious life of the church, are often strong figures. For example, the State Secretariat who led Cardinal Pietro passwordControls relations with other countries and international organizations. This also controls the Vatican’s diplomatic corps.

Dicasteria – “Department” – for the doctrine of belief in leading Cardinal Víctor Manuel FernándezHe asks questions about the correct Catholic teaching in faith and morality. Dogs of the bishops led by Cardinal Robert PrevostCoordinates the nominations of new bishops in the world.

All these officials protect the Pope’s prestige and his agenda. For example, Prevost suggested that all Catholics offer should be involved in the selection of bishops. This idea is associated with Francis’ call More “synodal” church: One with hierarchy and shapes with concerns and problems of Catholics.

If a Pope is not able to perform his duties, to whom is it?

When a Pope dies – or when he resigns, Like Benedict XVI In 2013, the management of the Catholic Church is officially falling into the Cardinic College. However, the possibility of college is very limited. They can not make any important decisions on faith, the Cardinals of faith, morality and worship. Or may not cancel previous papal decisions or change About the selection of the laws of the laws of the church.

All heads of dicators lose their offices over the death or resignation of a pope. The Cardinals College plays the role of a mediator government for prepare for the selection of the Pope and monitor the daily work of the Vatican.

A cardinal, “Camerlengo is known as“It is responsible for confirming the death and resignation of the Pope. He then accepts control of the Pope’s residence and coordinates the funeral when necessary. The conclusion of the.

The daily work of the Catholic Church continues, but large decisions cannot be made if there is no Pope. The church cannot determine new bishops and the Vatican cannot start new diplomatic efforts.

Are officials in the Vatican often candidate to be the Pope?

Sometimes. Francis was a cardinal of Argentina before he chose like a pope and served in the Roman Curia. But Benedict XVI, Francis’ SalafiServed as a prefector of the people – now called dicastery – for the doctrine of faith. Some recent Poplar served in Curia before their careers, but not immediately before they choose.

How many people do you want about the Vatican?

Three things. First, the Vatican is unlike any organization in the world. Religious mission and political situation are relaxing in about 2,000 years. This complex story provides an unique tradition anchoring the structure of the Catholic Church, but can also block the church from critical self-examination and update.

Second, the Vatican is similar to every body of the world. Vatican officials can really be faithful to the highest standards of the highest religions that really want to serve people. But they can be prostitute immoral, Even criminalsand looking for status or luxury career. Francis called the priests and bishops in a row those who somehow make themselves super office or with their appointment.

Finally, compared to the mass bureaucrates of modern governments and corporations, the Vatican is relatively small and is often not as a portrait.

Although Curia manages an extensive international organization, the resources are closer My own middle Catholic University Compared to the US government or apple. Vatican city and see the Bible Use about 2000 peopletogether with Operating budget about $ 835 million.

Yes, there is a state of the Catholic Church – and the ongoing problem of deficit and financial corruption. However, the Vatican’s resources are faded compared to a modern state or large company.

This article was originally published Conversation.