Pope Francis’ recent hospitalization due to a respiratory crisis raises significant concerns within the Catholic Church regarding the succession and management of the church’s leader in the event of prolonged illness or incapacitation. Speculation is rife about the existence of a resignation letter and the Pope’s end-of-life preferences, though the Vatican remains tight-lipped. Critics argue that the lack of transparency could lead to future conflicts among church officials if the need for making critical health decisions for the Pope arises. While some church doctrine permits the cessation of life-sustaining interventions, the discussion over the moral and practical implications remains ongoing, highlighting the church’s need to reconcile with contemporary medical advancements and the complexities of bioethics.

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/02/world/europe/pope-francis-medical-ethics.html