Pope Leo XIV Continues Recovery, Church Operations Unchanged During Hospitalization

Pope Leo XIV is recovering in Rome's Gemelli Hospital following surgery to remove part of his right lung due to lung adenocarcinoma, the most common type of lung cancer. The Vatican reported that his recovery is progressing normally, with doctors noting he has resumed walking and eating.

Leo, 71, had publicly disclosed a "localized nodule" in his lung requiring surgery during Sunday prayers. The Holy See stated that his first night in the hospital was calm and that he has begun respiratory physiotherapy. Further tests on the removed tissue are underway to determine any necessary treatments. All papal audiences have been canceled until October 20 as the Pope focuses on his recovery.

Despite the Pope's hospitalization, the governance of the Catholic Church continues without interruption. Unlike constitutional systems such as the United States, which has the 25th Amendment to address presidential incapacity, Catholic canon law does not provide a specific procedure for transferring papal authority if a Pope becomes sick or incapacitated. Canon 335 states that when the Holy See is "vacant or entirely impeded, nothing is to be altered in the governance of the universal church." The papacy is only considered vacant upon the Pope's death or resignation.

This lack of a defined process for papal incapacitation has been noted by historians. Miles Pattenden, a historian of the Catholic Church, explains that there is no mechanism to declare a Pope unable to govern, making incapacitation a significant challenge for the church's administration. Should issues arise that require the Pope's personal or doctrinal authority during his hospital stay, these matters would have to wait until he is able to address them.

However, Pope Leo, being conscious and able to move, remains in contact with church officials. Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle presided over a mass in Leo's place on Wednesday, delivering a homily prepared by the Pope. This indicates that while direct audiences are suspended, the Pope can still delegate and communicate.

The Roman Curia, the central administrative body of the Holy See, continues its day-to-day operations, supporting the Pope in governing the church. The Curia consists of various departments, or dicasteries, which function according to their established structures and instructions, with officials possessing delegated authority.

While positions like the Dean of the College of Cardinals and the camerlengo have specific roles during a papal vacancy following death or resignation, the camerlengo does not assume the Pope's authority during hospitalization. The current camerlengo, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, oversees Holy See administration and finances during a vacant See but does not act as an interim Pope.

Pope Francis had prepared a resignation letter in 2022 in case of health-related impediments but did not use it. He remained in office until his death in April 2025, following a period of hospitalization for various health issues. Pope Benedict XVI, in 2013, became the first Pope in nearly 600 years to voluntarily resign, citing advanced age.

The Vatican has not suggested that Pope Leo is incapable of performing or delegating his duties. His hospitalization serves as a reminder of the Pope's mortality and prompts broader discussions about governance during periods of papal ill health.