Pope Francis has written and spoken at length about sickness, aging and death. And he has personally directed that his ...

However, the Vatican did not acknowledge the condition until after his death. In keeping with his ... a stance he emphasised during Pope Benedict XVI's 10-year retirement. Even as he has aged ...

The Pope appealed to St. Benedict for help "to hold firm Christ's central position in our lives. May he always be first in our thoughts and in all our activities!" Before concluding, Benedict XVI ...

Pope Francis remains hospitalized with a severe lung infection, but while clear procedures exist for the resignation or death of a pope ... as was the case when Benedict XVI resigned in 2013.

Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation in 2013 marked a historic moment for the Catholic Church, making him the first pontiff in nearly 600 years to step down (the last was Gregory XII in 1415).

VATICAN CITY— While the Vatican has detailed laws and rituals to ensure the transfer of power when a pope dies or resigns, they do not apply if he is sick or even unconscious. And there are no ...