The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts. The Conversation is wholly responsible for the content. Today’s piece is by Daniel Speed ...

The 88-year-old, who had part of one lung removed as a young man, experienced two acute respiratory crises on Monday.

The Vatican has detailed laws and rituals to ensure the transfer of power when a pope dies or resigns, but not when he is ...

The theme of the retreat, which will take place from the evening of March 9 through the morning of March 14, is “The Hope of ...

Francis has weighed in publicly before on ethics for end-of-life medical situations, but it is unknown whether he has made ...

Pope Francis experienced more respiratory problems and went on noninvasive ventilation on Monday, the Vatican said, as the ...

Who leads the Catholic Church when the Pope is sick? - Nothing has changed in his status, role or power since Francis was ...

Pope Francis’s battle with double pneumonia is the most serious health complication the pontiff has suffered from since ...

COMMENTARY: The Council’s Decree ‘Christus Dominus’ is a vivid reminder of the meaning of the bishop’s pastoral role in the ...

As Pope Francis remains in critical condition at Gemelli Hospital in Rome - still in charge of the Vatican and the worldwide ...

If he were to do so, the church would elect a new pope through a process known as a conclave. Here is everything you need to ...

VATICAN CITY — While the Vatican has detailed ... And there are no specific norms outlining what happens to the leadership of the Catholic Church if a pope becomes totally incapacitated.