Sick Francis: The Pope is sick – what’s next?

He loves the bath in the crowd. Pope Francis shakes hands, is hugged and blesses babies who are served with public appearances. The closeness to the believers is important to the head of 1.4 billion Catholics. Since he took office on March 13, 2013 exactly twelve years ago, Francis truly has been considered a “Pope to touch”.

These personal encounters have been completely eliminated for almost four weeks. The 88-year-old has been in the hospital since February 14, and he suffers from pneumonia on both sides. Since then, the public hasn’t seen him anymore. Not a single photo has existed from the elderly Pope since he was entered to the Gemelli Clinic in Rome.

The only direct speech to date was from Francis a week ago. Francis had a short audio message for him on St. Peter’s Square before the every evening rosary prayer. He thanked the prayers. His voice seemed to struggle for breath and every syllable, he pressed out the words on his mother tongue Spanish with a lot of effort.

What’s next in the Vatican?

This once again became very clear: the Pope is sick and only capable of action. Most recently there was an improvement in his condition; The doctors say he is no longer in direct danger. But in his twelve -year -old pontificate, Francis has never stayed away from the Vatican as long as now. His almost one -month absence raises the question: How is it going on in the Vatican when Francis remains sick and weakened?

Despite the adverse circumstances: the Pope remains the Pope and nobody can replace it. Unlike a head of state, the Pope has no deputy. Some experts therefore say that even a stay in the hospital of several years would not prevent Francis from leading the church.

Apparently, however, he can no longer perform important tasks. In the past few weeks it has already been seen that Francis delegated tasks to church men: three times in the clinic he received number two of the Vatican, Cardinal Secretary of Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and the so -called substitute of the State Secretariat, Edgar Pena Parra.

Number two of the Vatican takes care of day -to -day business

Parolin is currently taking care of day -to -day business in the Vatican. A week ago he received Lithuania President Gitanas Nauseda there. Unlike his predecessors, however, Francis did not build a close network of familiar people to which he could make important tasks. In the end it was also shown that he did not want this. He wants to keep the threads in his hand.

The Vatican had repeatedly emphasized that the Pope also worked from the clinic and made it known. In addition, the Vatican announced that Francis had followed the Roman Curia by video on several days – a sign of presence.

Large program next month around Easter

Numerous dates from the Pope have been canceled since February 14th. At the current Holy Year of the Catholic Church, he was represented at the current Holy Year, but he remains present: Speeches are read out in his name, and the white armchair intended for him is then on a stage on St. Peter’s Square.

It is still unclear how the celebrations for Easter will take place in April. Usually these are an event marathon for the Pope: he starts washing the feet of prison inmates on Maundy Thursday and ends with the blessing “Urbi et orbi” from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica on Easter Sunday. Francis has never remained away from this major event.

Attachment in Vatican residence?

The Vatican announced several times that dismissal from the clinic was not yet foreseeable, but speculation about the preparation of the Pope’s apartment in the Vatican has increased in order to be able to treat it there medically. Such plans are not confirmed. However, the longer the disease lasts, the more realistic they seem.

If Francis can one day return to the Vatican, his office will differ from the previous one. At least there should be fewer appointments, fewer public appearances. With his susceptibility to respiratory diseases, it also seems unlikely that the Pope will – as before, will – and may – and may – and may – and may – and may.

Either way: For Francis, the late phase of his pontificate began. Speculation of a resignation, as in 2013 Francis’ predecessor, the German Pope Benedict XVI. had explained. So far, Francis excluded such a step. And yet the question arises how the native Argentinian will continue after dismissal from the hospital.