They said they were inspired by St. Francis’ love for the poor, peace and creation — all priorities for the pope, too, and the Franciscans, one of the largest orders in the Catholic Church. “The life of St.

St Peter's Square is bustling, but behind the Vatican's walls, activities have slowed as the Catholic Church grapples with the uncertainty caused by the absence of Pope Francis.

A papal conclave is a crucial event in the Catholic Church that occurs whenever the papacy becomes vacant. The conclave itself is the process by which the College of Cardinals gathers to elect a new pope.

His age and prolonged illness have raised questions about whether he might resign, and revived interest about how papal power is exercised in the Holy See.

Pope Francis' age and prolonged illness have revived interest in how papal power is exercised in the Holy See, how it is transferred and under what circumstances.

Francis' age and prolonged illness has revived interest about how papal power is exercised in the Holy See, how it is transferred and under what circumstances.

The Bishop of Rome, Pope Francis is currently hospitalized due to double pneumonia also known as bilateral pneumonia that affects the lungs. According to the Vatican, Pope was admitted to the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic for diagnostic tests and treatment for bronchitis.

Pope Francis continued his slow recovery from double pneumonia on Thursday, beating back speculation of an imminent death, resignation or conclave and signaling that he was still very much in charge, albeit in a weakened state.