Francis has weighed in publicly before on ethics for end-of-life medical situations, but it is unknown whether he has made known his own wishes should he face such a crossroads.
Tag: Cardinals (Roman Catholic Prelates)
Pope’s Illness Is Surrounded by Intrigue Over Possible Resignation
A secret meeting, and echoes of Benedict’s exit, have heightened talk that Francis could resign, too. But the possibility is anyone’s guess.
Anxious Prayers as Pope Francis Lingers in Critical Condition
Eleven days after the pope was hospitalized, speculation is mounting and prayers for his recovery verge on a vigil.
Francis Is in the Hospital. What Happens When a Pope Dies?
Time-honored rituals, drafted and refined over centuries, allow time for mourning and provide order at a dramatic moment of transition.
Pope Names Robert McElroy, an Ally on Immigration, as Cardinal in Washington
The appointment of Robert W. McElroy is a signal of the pope’s priorities, two weeks before Donald J. Trump’s term begins.
Pope Uses Christmas Message to Chide Advisers About Gossiping
Francis urged the Vatican inner circle to bless more and talk less badly of others. It wasn’t the first time he had used the occasion to scold them.
At Vatican Synod, Women’s Issues Are Relegated to a Side Group
A meeting four years in the making said the ordination of women required further study, but it called for women to have more leadership roles, even in seminaries.
Vatican and China Extend Agreement on Catholic Bishops
Critics argue the pact legitimizes China’s control over church affairs, while defenders say it helps support Catholics faithful to the Vatican in the Communist country.
Pope Names 21 New Cardinals, Reaching Far Beyond Europe
The appointments cement Francis’ imprint on the group that will choose his successor, and reflect his vision of a more truly global Roman Catholic Church.
A Survivor of Clerical Sex Abuse Tells His Story at the Vatican
As a child, Laurence Gien was abused by a priest in South Africa. Decades later, he became the first survivor to recount his pain at the Basilica in front of Pope Francis and dozens of cardinals and bishops.