For 90 minutes on Tuesday, Pope Leo was unconscious under general anesthesia, prompting questions about papal incapacity. The Vatican has no specific rules for a seriously ill or comatose pope; its administration runs on autopilot during hospitalization. This system was tested repeatedly during Pope John Paul II and Pope Francis's health struggles.
A dedicated suite at Rome's Gemelli Hospital, renovated currently, was prepared for Leo. Though there is no deputy pope, decisions and appointments can still reach him. Vatican doctors reported Thursday that Leo's recovery was "proceeding as expected," noting a chest X-ray showed the affected lung healing well and he was carrying out daily activities independently.
A Vatican spokesman confirmed the pope celebrated Mass and resumed working at a restrained pace. Daily operations are delegated to officials led by Secretary of State Cardinal Piero Parolin. The Holy See comprises dozens of offices overseeing areas like evangelization and the economy.
The Vatican's Secretariat of State functions like a ministry of interior and foreign affairs. Church experts describe the structure as a "deep state" that ensures continuity, noting the legal wisdom lies in a system designed to prevent collapse even when the ecclesiastical government slows. This resilience was a factor in Benedict XVI's 2013 resignation, motivated by concerns over his own declining health.
The article concludes with Leo announcing a growth found during his weekly prayer last Sunday.
Source: New York Times Top Stories · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing