Signed by the pope and dated Feb. 11, three days before Pope Francis was hospitalized, the decree was released by the Vatican Feb. 26.
Pope Francis
Posted inFaith
Catholic Church offers indulgences for fasting from social media
Pope Francis introduced a new option for receiving an indulgence this Jubilee Year: fasting from the internet and social media.
Posted inFaith, News
Like his predecessors, Pope Francis wrote resignation letter in case of impairment
Canon law states that a pope can resign, but it stipulates that the papal resignation must be “made freely and properly manifested”—conditions that would be difficult to ascertain if a pope were already incapacitated.
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Update: Pope Francis’ doctors do not note any improvement in daily medical report
Pope Francis remains in “critical but stationary” condition, according to the medical report released by the Vatican this evening. The report does not mention any improvement since yesterday’s medical update.
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Pope Francis still in critical condition but shows ‘slight improvement’
Pope Francis remains in critical condition, but he is stable and there is “a slight improvement” today on various fronts, according to the latest medical report from his doctors.
Posted inFaith, News
Vatican to host nightly rosary for Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square as prayers pour in from around the world
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, will lead a public recitation of the rosary at 9 p.m. Feb. 24 in St. Peter’s Square.
Posted inFaith, Faith in Focus
A prayer for Pope Francis during his grave illness
Loving God: As Francis, our beloved pope, suffers from grave illnesses, we come before you in prayer.
Posted inFaith, News
When the pope is sick or incapacitated, who leads the Catholic Church?
Pope Francis’ hospital stay is raising obvious questions about what happens if he loses consciousness for a prolonged period, or whether he might follow in Pope Benedict XVI’s footsteps and resign if he becomes unable to lead.
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Update: Pope Francis has a peaceful night after recent breathing crisis
The severe breathing crisis that Francis experienced on Feb. 22 has been overcome. The pope is not sedated. He is seated in an armchair and eating normally.
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Pope Francis in critical condition after respiratory crisis
Pope Francis has had a severe breathing crisis today that required giving him high-flow oxygen and blood transfusions.