Vatican
Who’s in charge when the pope is unconscious and unable to govern? The pope
Pope Leo XIV arrived at Gemelli Hospital in Rome on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026, to undergo surgery to remove a nodule on his lung. The procedure requires general anesthesia, and the pope is expected to remain in the hospital for one week.
While Vatican laws and rituals govern the transfer of power in the event of a papal death or resignation, no such protocols apply when a pope is sick or unconscious. Consequently, Leo XIV remains the head of the Church and retains his full authority during his incapacity.
The Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and other officials manage the daily operations of the Church and the Vatican bureaucracy. Cardinal Parolin noted that the pope announced the upcoming surgery with serenity.
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Read the sourceSources behind this story
- Reporting@CruxWho’s in charge when the pope is unconscious and unable to govern? The pope
Crux · Nicole Winfield
- Analysis & opinion@americamagWho’s in charge when the pope is unconscious and unable to govern? The pope
America · Nicole Winfield - Associated Press
How the coverage unfolded
- Oct 13, 5:22 AM Crux Who’s in charge when the pope is unconscious and unable to govern? The pope
- Oct 13, 9:38 AM America Who’s in charge when the pope is unconscious and unable to govern? The pope
- Oct 13, 6:52 AM ZENIT News Agency Français Hospitalisé, le pape demande de ne pas publier le rapport sur la famille
- Oct 13, 3:01 PM VinoNuovo Italiano Una bella sorpresa di Dio per papa Leone
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- Oct 24, 9:19 AM PT Dicastery for the Causes of Saints declares Federico Kaiser venerable
- Oct 24, 8:48 AM PT · 2 sources Pope Leo XIV is cancer-free
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