Who’s who at the Vatican? Here’s what to know amid Pope Francis health concerns

For greater than two weeks, eyes have been on the Vatican, awaiting information about Pope Francis’ health. The pope has been at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital since Feb. 14, 2025, being handled for double pneumonia and different issues.

When a pope is in poor health, resigns or passes away, who steps in? And who else helps lead the Holy See? The Dialog U.S. requested Daniel Speed Thompson, a theologian on the College of Dayton, for some perception into Vatican Metropolis.

Who’re essentially the most highly effective individuals on the Vatican, apart from the pope?

The Vatican homes the central authorities of the Catholic Church and can be an impartial city-state. The pope is each the top of the Catholic Church and head of state.

To be able to govern each, he has the Roman Curia, which means “court docket.” In fashionable phrases, the Curia is the papal forms. It’s an extension of the pope’s authority.

In Catholic doctrine, the pope has the very best authority within the church. He can train it alone or with the School of Bishops, made up of all of the bishops on the planet. Bishops named by the pope to the workplace of “cardinal” can, if underneath 80 years previous, vote to elect a new pope. Some cardinals, however under no circumstances all, serve within the papal Curia in Rome.

Apart from the pope, curial officers who oversee vital features of the church’s political and spiritual life are sometimes highly effective figures. For instance, the secretariat of state, headed by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, oversees relations with different nations and worldwide organizations. It additionally oversees the Vatican’s diplomatic corps.

The Dicastery — “division” — for the Doctrine of the Religion, led by Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, addresses questions on right Catholic instructing on religion and morals. The Dicastery of Bishops, headed by Cardinal Robert Prevost, coordinates the nominations of recent bishops around the globe.

All these officers work underneath the authority of the pope, advocating for and implementing his agenda. For instance, Prevost has urged that each one Catholics should be involved within the number of bishops. This concept is linked with Francis’ name for a more “synodal” church: one that’s much less hierarchical and formed by lay Catholics’ considerations and challenges.

If a pope cannot fulfill his duties, who steps in?

When a pope dies – or resigns, like Benedict XVI did in 2013 — the governance of the Catholic Church formally falls to the School of Cardinals. Nevertheless, the authority of the faculty may be very restricted. On their very own, cardinals can’t make any vital choices regarding religion, morals and worship. Nor can they undo earlier papal choices or change church laws about electing a new pope.

All the heads of the dicasteries lose their office upon the loss of life or resignation of a pope. The School of Cardinals serves as a caretaker authorities whose main objective is to organize for the election of the brand new pope and oversee day-to-day workings of the Vatican.

One cardinal, known as the “camerlengo,” is liable for confirming the pope’s loss of life or resignation. He then assumes management over the pope’s residence and coordinates the funeral, if wanted. The camerlengo additionally takes custody of the Vatican’s property in Rome and supervises particulars for the upcoming conclave.

The day-to-day enterprise of the Catholic Church continues, however no massive choices could be made within the absence of a pope. The church can’t appoint new bishops, and the Vatican can’t begin new diplomatic efforts.

Are officers on the Vatican usually nominated to be pope?

Typically. Francis was a cardinal from Argentina earlier than his election as pope and had not served within the Roman Curia. Nevertheless, Benedict XVI, Francis’ predecessor, did function the prefect of the Congregation — now referred to as Dicastery — for the Doctrine of the Religion. Some current popes served within the Curia earlier of their profession however not instantly earlier than their election.

What do you want extra individuals understood in regards to the Vatican?

Three issues. First, the Vatican is in contrast to any group on the planet. Its non secular mission and political standing relaxation on practically 2,000 years of historical past. This sophisticated story gives a novel custom that anchors the establishment of the Catholic Church, however may block the church from crucial self-examination and renewal.

Second, the Vatican is like each group on the planet. Vatican officers could be trustworthy to the very best requirements of their faith, actually wishing to serve the church and the frequent good of humanity. However they can be flagrantly immoral, even criminals, and careerist seekers of standing or luxurious. Francis has constantly referred to as out clergymen and bishops who see themselves as somehow superior by advantage of their workplace or their ordination.

Lastly, in contrast with the large bureaucracies of contemporary governments and firms, the Vatican is comparatively small and never as rich as it’s usually portrayed.

Though the Curia manages an enormous worldwide group, its sources are far nearer to my own midsize Catholic university than to the U.S. authorities or Apple. Vatican Metropolis and the Holy See employ about 2,000 people, with an operating budget of about $835 million.

Sure, the Catholic Church has wealth — and the ongoing problem of deficits and financial corruption. However the Vatican’s sources pale compared with what a contemporary state or giant firm can muster.

This text was initially revealed on The Conversation.