Panic in the Vatican: This is how you react to Pope Francis' hospital stay

Panic in the Vatican: This is how you react to Pope Francis' hospital stay

The Apostolic Palace in the Vatican houses the State Secretariat of the Holy Stuhl, the heart of the central administration of the Catholic Church. If you enter the offices on the third floor of the Renaissance building, you can see frescoes that show some of the earliest world maps-an indication that the church had a worldwide vision and influence long before globalization.

The current situation in the Vatican

with Pope Francis, who has been in hospital

leaders in the Apostolic Palace

The two highest ranking employees in the State Secretariat are Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the secretary of the State of the Holy Stuhl, and Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra, who acts as a "Sostituto" or "Deputy", who works as a papal head of the staff. Both visited Francis at least twice in the hospital. In normal times they would have weekly audiences in the Pope and constant contact with him.

parolin, a prudent and thoughtful prelate from northern Italy, is an experienced diplomat that deals with geopolitical questions and crucial on the Agreement of the Holy See with China . Many see him a future Pope. He also led the first daily prayer sessions for Francis' health on St. Peter's Square.

The role of Archbishop Peña Parra

Peña Parra, a diplomat from Venezuela, coordinates the work of the Roman Curia, the central administration of the church. With a determined and resilient character, he has a violent crucifixion in a important legal case against the Vatican via a real estate dispute. The judge decided in favor of the Vatican and Peña Parra in the crucial points.

everyday life and challenges in the Vatican

These two officials monitor a large part of the daily church administration, while Francis remains in the hospital. The Roman Curia includes various departments, so -called dicasteries, which are housed in offices in and around the state of Vatican City and Rome. The departments, such as those for the appointment of bishops, continue to run their daily tasks and meet regularly.

Despite the continued work, this happens more slowly. State heads who travel to Rome to meet the Pope stay away, as well as bishop delegations that travel to the eternal city. Important events that rely on the assembly strength of the papacy were postponed. The predominant mood in the Vatican is characterized by Anxiety and uncertainty.

The reactions to the situation

"It is always difficult if the head, for whatever reason, disappears, because the Holy Father is a very practical personality when it comes to managing the curia and his interest in the work of all dicasteries," said Cardinal Arthur Roche, head of the Vatican Liturgy, compared to CNN.

"We are used to suddenly calling for an opinion or sharing an observation that he noticed. In this sense it has become very quiet." The cardinal explained that "the work is continued", even if it is an "uncertain time" with an increased fear of fear.

"But we are hopeful that the good gentleman will help him and restore his health," he added. "And if not, we can at least support him through our prayers to help him at a moment when he needs our support. He is always ready to help us, and it is a wonderful opportunity for us to help him when he is in need."

The persistent leadership of the Pope

The 88-year-old Pope continues to signal that he also leads the church out of the hospital. Despite his pneumonia, Francis signs documents "from the Gemelli Hospital", appoints Bischöfe and a nasa scientist as a member of the papal academy of sciences Gaza.

It was also the Pope himself who asked the doctors and the communication points of the Vatican, the daily health bulletins . On Thursday evening, people heard the Pope's voice for the first time since his hospitalization. In a remarkable effort, Francis, who had difficulty finding his words after weeks of breathing difficulties, thanked the people on St. Peter's Square for their prayers

The community in prayer

Every evening cardinals and high -ranking Vatican civil servants gather on St. Peter's Square to pray for Francis. The mood is calm and serious. Anthony Ekpo, a Vatican official and author of "The Roman Curia: History, Theology and Organization", explained that the task of the Curia focuses on the "prayer support of the Pope" while "supporting him in the leadership of the universal church".

The effects on the anniversary year

The Hospitalization of the Pope has changed the character of the Catholic Church's anniversary year, a event that takes place every 25 years, which focuses on pilgrimages and forgiveness. A tighter schedule with events in which the Pope was to take part was planned, but in Francis absence, high -ranking cardinals were entrusted with the management of the celebrations.

The observations in the run -up to a conclave

All of this creates an atmosphere that is reminiscent of a forced complain. Vatican observers, like every cardinal who steps in for the Pope, act and whether they are papabiles (literally "pope capable" or a potential candidate for the papal office).

The interest in Papal elections has increased by the popularity of the film "Conclave", which several high -ranking church representatives have seen. Despite physical difficulties, Francis always remained mentally vigilant and ensured that nobody exerts excessive influence in his absence.

He has two personal secretaries, both priests who support him in the hospital, but they stay away from the public. During his pontificate, he changed secretaries, rejected a personal speaker and never allowed that a person is highlighted as a "deputy".

the uncertainty about the duration of hospitalization

In contrast, Pope John Paul II's long stays of illness and hospital led to a power vacuum in Rome. When his health subsided, numerous high -ranking civil servants in the Vatican took control of important decisions, with his private secretary, who later became Cardinal Stanisław Dziwisz, played a powerful key role. A similar role played for Benedict XVI. Archbishop Georg Gänswein.

Nobody knows how long Francis will stay in the hospital, and the forecast for his complex state remains “reserved”, according to Vatican sources.

The way to recovery

Friends of the Pope report that he is determined to relieve the hospital and return to Casa Santa Marta, his residence since the 2013 conclave. The Santa Marta is also the place where the cardinals live during a conclusion. Franziskus ’recovery could take many weeks and there is speculation about the possibility of his resignation.

From March 9th to 14th, the leaders of the Roman Curia will hold spiritual exercises for Lent, which this year are all about "hope for eternal life". During this time, believers strive to follow Christ into the desert for a time of prayer, fasting and the alms to prepare for Easter.

The uncertainty in Lent 2025

For the Vatican, Lent takes place in a desert of uncertainty in 2025, while the Pope's health is on the brink. You hope - and pray - that a way out can be found.