Now inevitable – Pope Francis shied away from anesthesia for a long time

There was no temporary transfer, Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin said. In the Vatican he is sometimes referred to as the “number two”. Parolin assumes that the pope will continue to handle official business from his sickbed after his intervention. If necessary, files on urgent matters would even be taken to the hospital. In canon law there is also no question of a representative.

Pope Francis himself has stated in the past that he had already submitted a “conditional declaration of resignation” in the first year of his pontificate. It states that the Roman diocese is also considered empty if he is permanently unable to perform his duties due to illness or other circumstances, such as kidnapping. The cardinals, who are also responsible for electing a new pope, should judge whether that happens or not.

Dismissal due to health problems?
In recent years canonists have repeatedly pointed to gaps in the law, for example in the case of permanent unconsciousness. They asked the pope to close it to no avail.

“We follow him with our affection. We accompany him with our prayers and hope that he can resume his duties,” the “number two” said at the Vatican on Wednesday. A few months ago, the Argentine Francis reported that protrusions in the small and large intestines are becoming noticeable again. This is the the pope’s third admission to the Roman polyclinic since July 2021. In recent interviews, he had not ruled out the possibility that he could resign due to health problems, speaking of “fatigue that prevents you from seeing things clearly. ”

In addition to the intestinal problems, Francis has knee problems and therefore often has to come to appointments in a wheelchair. It was a “physical humiliation.” In February, however, the pope stressed that he had no intention of resigning at this time.