Vatican business continues as ailing Pope Francis holds work meeting in hospital
Pope Francis was well enough on Tuesday to meet with the Vatican secretary of state and carry out essential work despite being in hospital in critical condition with double pneumonia.
The 88-year-old is showing a slight improvement after 11 days in Rome's Gemelli hospital, although doctors have warned that the prognosis for the Argentine pope is guarded.
Despite his illness and the longest hospital stay of his almost 12-year-old papacy, Francis has continued to do some work while the Vatican machinery is still grinding on apace.
The Vatican's Tuesday noon bulletin contained a series of significant decisions, most importantly that Francis had met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra. The former is the Vatican's secretary of state, while the latter is the "substitute" or chief or staff.
During the audience, Francis approved decrees for two new saints and five people for beatification — the first step toward possible sainthood. The pope also decided to "convene a consistory about the future canonisations".
Father Antonio Pelayo, a Spanish priest and Vatican expert, told Euronews that Vatican business is able to keep functioning because Francis can rely on Parolin and Parra.
"However, the Vatican's secretary of state cannot appoint a bishop, create a new diocese, or seal international agreements," Pelayo said. "To be clear, a 'deputy Pope' does not exist."
"It is a transitory situation, but that doesn't mean the Church is left without leadership."
Pelayo said that Francis was likely to remain in hospital for a while, as doctors will not be inclined to discharge him "until they are sure he can lead a normal life."
If he is discharged, the question remains whether Francis will be able to fully perform his duties. In 2013, he wrote a resignation letter to be used in case his health prevented him from carrying out his work.
"It was signed in case the Pope becomes mentally impaired — but not in the event of physical impairment", said Piero Schiavazzi, professor of Vatican Geopolitics at Link University in Rome.
"I don't believe his physical limitations, which have been present for some time, have significantly hindered him. This type of letter is typically signed if the Pope is no longer mentally fit, but that is not the case here", he told Euronews.
Thousands of people h ave been gathering in St. Peter's Square to pray for Francis, expressing sorrow for his suffering, hope for his recovery and gratitude for his efforts to steer the Catholic Church in new directions. Crowds sat under umbrellas on folding chairs or stood by the vast colonnades as they reflected fondly on the pontiff's legacy.
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