Who’s in charge when the pope is unconscious and unable to govern? The pope
Health
Politics
October 18, 2026
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Question: Who runs the Catholic Church when the pope is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to govern?
The Vatican has detailed laws, rituals and norms to transfer papal power if a pope dies or resigns. But none of them apply when he is sick or even unconscious. Pope Leo XIV had surgery Tuesday to remove part of his right lung due to cancer. The Vatican hasn’t mentioned if any further treatment is expected.
Leo’s audiences have been cancelled through October 20, but he remains very much in charge of the papacy.
Health
Politics
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