The Vatican has laws to ensure the transfer of power when a pope dies or resigns, but they don't apply if he is sick.

“The Holy Father’s clinical condition is stable ... they’re prepared for an end to his pontificate. The Catholic Church is almost 2,000 years old, and over the centuries, the protocol ...

Cardinal Pacelli, now Camerlengo (Chamberlain) of the Holy Roman Church, was given the Ring of the Fisherman from the Pope’s finger. Placed in a red silk bag, the ring was later broken ...

“The Holy Father’s clinical condition is stable ... Centuries-old protocol The Catholic Church is almost 2,000 years old, and over the centuries, the protocol for papal funerals has been ...

Except for the resurrection on Easter, Holy Thursday is possibly one of the most important, complex, and profound days of celebration in the Catholic Church ... over to the Roman soldiers.

The Pope's condition remains critical as the Vatican issued a statement after the Pontiff spent his ninth consecutive night ...

Cardinals under the age of 80 elect the Pope when the Holy See becomes vacant; and are major administrators of church affairs, serving in one or more departments of the Roman Curia. Cardinals in ...

It is traditionally the job of the camerlengo (a senior Vatican ... organs removed prior to burial — a church near the Trevi Fountain in Rome holds the hearts of more than 20 popes in marble urns, ...

The Vatican allows Catholic marriages to take place in the Chapel of the Choir in St. Peter’s Basilica and in the small city ...

The Dublin-born Farrell has served as prefect of the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life (since 2016), as Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church (since 2019) and as President of the Supreme Court of ...