(The Dialog) — For bigger than two weeks, eyes possess been on the Vatican, looking forward to news about Pope Francis’ successfully being. The pope has been at Rome’s Gemelli Clinical institution since Feb. 14, 2025, being treated for double pneumonia and a selection of complications.
When a pope is in dejected health, resigns or passes away, who steps in? And who else helps lead the Holy Stare? The Dialog U.S. requested Daniel Velocity Thompson, a theologian at the College of Dayton, for some perception into Vatican Metropolis.
Who’re the most extremely efficient of us at the Vatican, apart from the pope?
The Vatican homes the central authorities of the Catholic Church and is additionally an impartial city-train. The pope is both the top of the Catholic Church and head of train.
In yelp to manipulate both, he has the Roman Curia, that manner “court.” In contemporary phrases, the Curia is the papal paperwork. It is an extension of the pope’s authority.
In Catholic doctrine, the pope has the excellent authority in the church. He can inform it alone or with the College of Bishops, made up of your total bishops on this planet. Bishops named by the pope to the office of “cardinal” can, if below 80 years extinct, vote to elect a brand new pope. Some cardinals, however by no manner all, aid in the papal Curia in Rome.
In addition to the pope, curial officers who oversee important sides of the church’s political and spiritual lifestyles are on the total extremely efficient figures. As an illustration, the secretariat of train, headed by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, oversees relatives with a selection of countries and international organizations. It additionally oversees the Vatican’s diplomatic corps.
Pope Francis smiles as he walks alongside Vatican Secretary of Negate Pietro Parolin, left, and Cardinal Giuseppe Versaldi at the Vatican in 2014.
AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia
The Dicastery – “department” – for the Doctrine of the Faith, led by Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, addresses questions about lawful Catholic educating on religion and morals. The Dicastery of Bishops, headed by Cardinal Robert Prevost, coordinates the nominations of new bishops spherical the enviornment.
All these officers work below the authority of the pope, advocating for and enforcing his agenda. As an illustration, Prevost has urged that every Catholics needs to be spirited by the plenty of of bishops. This notion is linked with Francis’ demand a extra “synodal” church: one that is less hierarchical and shaped by lay Catholics’ considerations and challenges.
If a pope can’t fulfill his responsibilities, who steps in?
When a pope dies – or resigns, appreciate Benedict XVI did in 2013 – the governance of the Catholic Church formally falls to the College of Cardinals. Nonetheless, the authority of the college is amazingly restricted. On their very have, cardinals can now not make any fundamental choices pertaining to religion, morals and love. Nor can they undo earlier papal choices or alternate church authorized tips on electing a brand new pope.
The total heads of the dicasteries lose their office upon the loss of life or resignation of a pope. The College of Cardinals serves as a caretaker authorities whose predominant reason is to put collectively for the election of the new pope and oversee day-to-day workings of the Vatican.
One cardinal, is named the “camerlengo,” is to blame for confirming the pope’s loss of life or resignation. He then assumes regulate over the pope’s space and coordinates the funeral, if wanted. The camerlengo additionally takes custody of the Vatican’s property in Rome and supervises shrimp print for the upcoming conclave.
The day-to-day alternate of the Catholic Church continues, however no mighty choices will be made in the absence of a pope. The church can now not appoint new bishops, and the Vatican can now not birth up new diplomatic efforts.
Are officers at the Vatican on the total nominated to be pope?
Every every so regularly. Francis was a cardinal from Argentina sooner than his election as pope and had now not served in the Roman Curia. Nonetheless, Benedict XVI, Francis’ predecessor, did aid because the prefect of the Congregation – now known as Dicastery – for the Doctrine of the Faith. Some most up-to-date popes served in the Curia earlier of their profession however now not right this moment sooner than their election.
What form you want extra of us understood referring to the Vatican?
Three things. First, the Vatican is now not like any group on this planet. Its spiritual mission and political role rest on nearly 2,000 years of historical past. This advanced epic affords a special tradition that anchors the institution of the Catholic Church, however can additionally block the church from serious self-examination and renewal.
Second, the Vatican is appreciate every group on this planet. Vatican officers will be faithful to the excellent standards of their religion, in fact wishing to aid the church and the final appropriate of humanity. Nevertheless they’ll additionally be flagrantly imperfect, even criminals, and careerist seekers of role or luxurious. Francis has repeatedly known as out priests and bishops who gaze themselves as in a single map superior by virtue of their office or their ordination.
Finally, in contrast with the large bureaucracies of contemporary governments and corporations, the Vatican is fairly shrimp and now not as successfully off as it is at all times portrayed.
Even supposing the Curia manages a huge international group, its sources are a long way closer to my have midsize Catholic college than to the U.S. authorities or Apple. Vatican Metropolis and the Holy Stare make employ of about 2,000 of us, with an working funds of about US$835 million.
Certain, the Catholic Church has wealth – and the continued anguish of deficits and financial corruption. Nevertheless the Vatican’s sources pale when in contrast with what a up-to-the-minute train or sizable firm can muster.
(Daniel Velocity Thompson, Accomplice Professor of Non secular Reports, College of Dayton. The views expressed on this commentary form now not necessarily have those of Religion Recordsdata Carrier.)
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