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.

Following the death or resignation of a pope, the Catholic Church elects a new pope through an election by cardinals who meet in a conclave Pope Francis remained hospitalized Wednesday, five days after he was admitted to Rome's Gemelli Hospital with a respiratory infection.

People of the Catholic faith around the world are lighting candles and praying for the health of Pope Francis while he recovers from pneumonia.

Pope Francis’ hospital stay is raising obvious questions about what happens if he loses consciousness for a prolonged period, or whether he might follow in Pope Benedict XVI’s footsteps and resign if he becomes unable to lead.

While the Vatican has detailed laws and rituals to ensure the transfer of power when a pope dies or resigns, they do not apply if he is sick or even unconscious. And there are no specific norms outlining what happens to the leadership of the Catholic Church if a pope becomes totally incapacitated.

Pope Francis is resting following a coughing fit which saw the head of the Catholic Church inhale vomit that needed to be extracted. The Holy See press office said in a short media statement on Saturday that the pontiff had a peaceful night and was resting.

When Benedict XVI became the first pope to resign in 600 years it sent shockwaves through the Catholic Church. Now, after spending two weeks in hospital battling pneumonia, the speculation in the Vatican is whether his successor Pope Francis might do the same.

Pope Francis continued his recovery from pneumonia Tuesday as the Vatican set in motion a nightly marathon of prayers from “his house” and allies cheered him on from afar in hopes that he might recover and get back to leading the Catholic Church.

Thousands of people gathered in St. Peter’s Square Monday evening to pray for an ailing Pope Francis, expressing sorrow for his suffering, hope for his recovery and gratitude for his efforts to steer the Catholic Church in new directions.