As Pope Francis’ health continues to decline, the Vatican faces mounting questions about what happens next as it has come to light that the pontiff quietly signed a resignation letter to be enacted if he ever became incapacitated.
The Catholic Church is facing a moment of uncertainty as Pope Francis, 88, remains in critical but stable condition following his recent hospitalization. However, renewed attention has fallen on a document he signed in 2013 — a resignation letter.
Pope Francis during the Easter Mass at the St. Peter’s Basilica on April 12, 2020, in Vatican City. | Source: Getty Images
What does this letter mean? How severe is the Pope’s condition? What happens if he steps down or passes away? And how is the Vatican preparing for such a historic moment?
Continue reading for a closer look at his resignation letter, expert medical breakdowns of his health, and what the Church is expected to do in the coming days.
A woman placing a candle in front of an image of Pope Francis outside the Basilica de Guadalupe, in Mexico City, Mexico, on February 23, 2025. | Source: Getty Images
In the wake of Pope Francis’ worsening health, attention has turned to a significant document he signed over a decade ago — his resignation letter. The letter was intended to be enacted in the event of incapacitation, a move with little precedent in modern papal history.
While his recent hospitalization and frail condition have raised speculation about whether this letter might soon take effect, reports indicate that the Pope has accepted that “the end of his earthly life is very close,” making a formal resignation seem unnecessary.
Pope Francis arriving to celebrate the mass for the Jubilee of the Armed Forces at St. Peter’s square in Vatican City on February 9, 2025. | Source: Getty Images
The Vatican has not confirmed any plans to invoke the resignation letter, but if it were to happen, it would set in motion a highly structured process.
According to The Australian’s chief leader writer, Tess Livingstone, the first steps following a papal resignation or death would include the destruction of the Pope’s ring and seal of office to prevent misuse.
Nine days of mourning, known as novendiales, would follow, accompanied by masses for the repose of his soul.
Pope Francis, however, has opted to be buried not in the Vatican but in the Basilica of St. Mary Major, a historic and revered church dedicated to the Virgin Mary, located just outside the Vatican’s walls.
Statues outside The Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome, Italy. | Source: Getty Images
In a December 12, 2023, interview with Mexican news outlet N+, the Pope, in good spirits, openly discussed his funeral plans. He revealed that he had already spoken with Archbishop Diego Giovanni Ravelli, his master of liturgical ceremonies, about the arrangements.
Pope Francis photographed with King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium at Laeken Castle on September 27, 2024, in Brussels, Belgium. | Source: Getty Images
“We simplified them quite a bit,” he said before jokingly adding, “I will premiere the new ritual.” This decision marked a significant departure from tradition.
Historically, popes have been buried in the Vatican Grottoes beneath St. Peter’s Basilica. The last pontiff to break this custom was Pope Leo XIII, who died in 1903 and was interred at the Basilica of St. John Lateran.
Inside The Basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome, Italy. | Source: Getty Images
As for St. Mary Major, six popes have been buried there, but the most recent was Pope Clement IX in 1669. Pope Francis’ reasoning for his choice was deeply personal.
“It’s my great devotion,” he said, explaining that before becoming pope, he would visit the basilica on Sunday mornings whenever he traveled to Rome.
Pope Francis meets in St. Peter’s Square, Vatican City, on April 18, 2022. | Source: Getty Images
The site houses the revered Byzantine-style icon known as Salus Populi Romani (Salvation of the People of Rome), which depicts the Virgin Mary holding the infant Jesus.
The Pope has long expressed a special connection to this image, often praying before it after returning from his papal trips. His preference for a final resting place outside the Vatican aligns with his broader emphasis on humility and simplicity.
King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium welcoming Pope Francis at Laeken Castle on September 27, 2024, in Brussels, Belgium. | Source: Getty Images
By November 2024, he had revised the funeral rites that would be used upon his death, streamlining the rituals to highlight his role as a bishop rather than an exalted figure.
The Vatican newspaper L’Osservatore Romano reported that he approved the updated liturgical book on April 29, replacing the previous version last updated in 2000.
Pope Francis arriving for his weekly general audience in St. Peter’s Square, Vatican City, on May 10, 2023. | Source: Getty Images
The decision to revise these rites came in the wake of Pope Benedict XVI’s death on December 31, 2022. As the first retired pope in 600 years, Benedict’s funeral posed unique challenges for the Vatican, prompting Pope Francis to work with Monsignor Ravelli to simplify the traditional ceremonies.
Pope Francis attends his weekly general audience at the Paul VI Hall on August 9, 2023, in Vatican City. | Source: Getty Images
In the event of Pope Francis’ passing behind the scenes, cardinals would prepare for what could be a historic transition. “Around the world, about 200 cardinals would be getting ready to fly to Rome,” Livingstone explained.
“I’m quite sure that would be the case. Quite a few — probably about 50— live in Rome as it is,” she added. A conclave, the closed-door assembly of cardinals responsible for electing a new pope, would then be convened.
Pope Francis presiding over a mass for the Epiphany in St. Peter’s Basilica on January 6, 2025, in Vatican City. | Source: Getty Images
Among them, 138 cardinals under the age of 80 would be eligible to vote, while senior cardinals over 80 would participate in pre-conclave discussions. “That promises to be extremely lively this time around,” Livingstone noted.
Given the Pope’s history of selecting cardinals from diverse backgrounds who are largely unfamiliar with one another, some speculate that the upcoming conclave may be particularly unpredictable.
Pope Francis delivering his Angelus blessing from the window of his private studio to pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square on December 13, 2020, in Vatican City. | Source: Getty Images
When questioned in 2022 about whether his diverse appointments would make the process more challenging, Pope Francis responded, “Of course, from the human point of view. But it is the Holy Spirit who works there.”
Pope Francis presiding over the Easter Mass at St. Peter’s Square, on April 9, 2023, in Vatican City. | Source: Getty Images
Despite his declining health, the 88-year-old pontiff has continued working from the hospital, reportedly making governmental decisions and approving new appointments.
Pope Francis during a celebration of Mass for the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe at the Altar of the Chair in St. Peter’s Basilica on December 12, 2020, in Vatican City. | Source: Getty Images
Additionally, Pope Francis has called for a consistory — a formal gathering of all cardinals — to determine when these saints will be officially recognized.
However, some within the Church, including priests in Rome, speculate that the consistory could serve a dual purpose, possibly signaling more significant developments within the Vatican.
Speculation surrounding Pope Francis’ resignation has persisted in part due to his own remarks in the past. The Pope had previously stated that he would consider stepping down if his health severely limited his ability to fulfill his duties, following the precedent set by Pope Benedict XVI.
Pope Francis celebrating the mass for the Jubilee of the Armed Forces at St. Peter’s square in Vatican City on February 9, 2025. | Source: Getty Images
In the 2022 interview, he confirmed that he had already prepared for such a possibility. “I have already signed my resignation,” he stated, revealing that he handed the document to then-Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone.
Pope Francis celebrating New Year’s Day during a mass on World Day of Peace in St. Peter’s Basilica on January 1, 2025, in Vatican City. | Source: Getty Images
“I signed it and I told him, ‘In case of impediment for medical reasons or what do I know, here is my resignation. You have it,'” he added.
When asked about the whereabouts of the letter today, the Pope speculated that Bertone likely passed it to his successor, Cardinal Parolin.
Pope Francis blessing a baby during his weekly audience at the Paul VI Hall on February 12, 2020, in Vatican City. | Source: Getty Images
He is not the first pope to take this precautionary step. “Paul VI also left in writing his resignation in case of permanent impediment,” Pope Francis was told during the same interview.
Pope Francis greeting soccer player Dani Alves during the launch of the Scholas Occurrentes International Movement at the Pontifical Urban University on May 19, 2022, in Vatican City. | Source: Getty Images
“That’s right, and Pius XII, I think he did too,” he responded. However, unlike Pope Benedict XVI, who became the first pope in nearly 600 years to resign voluntarily, Pope Francis has never openly expressed an imminent intention to step down.
Pope Francis meeting Italian actor and director Roberto Benigni at Paul VI Hall on December 7, 2022, in Vatican City. | Source: Getty Images
In recent weeks, the Pope has reportedly been preoccupied with ensuring his legacy and finalizing key decisions. Sources close to the Vatican suggest that he is deeply concerned about his declining health and is rushing to complete unfinished matters, particularly regarding Church leadership and reforms.
According to two individuals familiar with the situation, the Pope has been in severe pain and has privately expressed certainty that he will not recover this time.
In response, he has moved to secure the future direction of the Church by appointing key figures to influential positions, continuing his progressive agenda amid ongoing ideological divisions within the Vatican.
As uncertainty looms over the Vatican, all eyes remain on Pope Francis. Whether he resigns or remains in office until his final days, his decisions in the coming weeks could shape the future of the Catholic Church for years to come.
Pope Francis during a weekly general audience on February 28, 2024, at Paul-VI hall in Vatican City. | Source: Getty Images
The Holy See Press Office has continued to provide regular updates on Pope Francis’ condition following his recent hospitalization. “The Pope had a quiet night and is resting,” the Vatican stated on Wednesday, February 26.
Pope Francis photographed being helped into a popemobile car on March 29, 2023. | Source: Getty Images
Upon waking, he sat in his armchair and continued therapy, receiving the same oxygen treatment as in previous days. A scheduled CT scan was conducted to monitor his bilateral pneumonia, with results expected soon.
Pope Francis leaving the Gemelli Hospital after being discharged following surgery on June 16, 2023, in Rome, Italy. | Source: Getty Images
Medical reports indicate that Pope Francis remains in critical but stable condition. “There have been no acute respiratory episodes, and hemodynamic parameters continue to be stable,” a Vatican statement noted.
Pope Francis at a mass for the feast of the Epiphany at St. Peter’s Basilica on January 6, 2023 in Vatican City. | Source: Getty Images
However, his prognosis remains uncertain. The pope is also being treated for mild renal insufficiency, which doctors say is under control.
Several doctors have broken down Pope Francis’ medical situation, including Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN’s chief medical correspondent, who said of the severity of the situation, “Pneumonia is always concerning in someone of advanced age, and so late 80s, even more concerning.”
A screenshot of Dr. Sanjay Gupta breaking down the big concern with Pope Francis’ health from a video dated February 25, 2025. | Source: YouTube/CNN
Dr. Gupta also highlighted the Pope’s history of lung issues, including the removal of part of a lung in his youth, which could complicate recovery.
“Before February 14th, when he was hospitalized, we already got some indication that there were issues because he was having aides. His aides give talks for him, for example. He was having a hard time catching his breath well enough to do that,” the medical professional noted.
CNN medical analyst Dr. Jonathan Reiner joined CNN’s Jessica Dean to further break down the latest details on the Pope’s health, sharing, “[…] To me, it sounds like he had some form of difficulty keeping his oxygen levels up or actively breathing.”
Additionally, Pope Francis has suffered from an asthmatic crisis alongside pneumonia, further straining his respiratory system.
“It’s an inflammation of the airways that causes spasm of the airways. So just think about those airways, you know, normally got air going in, air going out,” Dr. Gupta explained. The Pope also underwent a blood transfusion, likely to maintain oxygen levels and address potential clotting issues.
Livingstone emphasized the gravity of the situation, saying, “He’s 88, he’s got pneumonia in both lungs, and he’s been in hospital for at least a week and they’ve said he’ll be there for another week. I think it is very serious.”
Pope Francis at Laeken Castle in Brussels, Belgium, on September 27, 2024. | Source: Getty Images
On March 2, a news agency revealed the latest news on the Pope’s health. It shared that he has been in hospital for 17 days with his condition remaining stable. After the Pope suffered Broncospasm on Friday, he required “non-invasive mechanical ventilation.”
The Vatican also revealed that the Pope participated in mass together with his caregivers that morning in the hospital. He spent the rest of the day in meetings, praying, and resting. His usual Sunday routine includes reading his Sunday Angelus from the window of the apostolic Palace.
However, this is the third week in a row that he hasn’t be able to. Instead, the Vatican Pope Francis’ Angelus message where he reflected on the day’s gospel, before adding a personal message.
The religious leader thanked the doctors, and the healthcare professionals who have cared for him well. The Pope also addressed being frail, saying, “I feel in my heart the blessing that is hidden within frailty, because it is precisely in these moments that we learn even more to trust in the Lord.”
He continued, “And at the same time, I thank God for giving me the opportunity to share in body and spirit the condition of so many sick and suffering people.” Pope Francis also thanked people worldwide for their prayers.
He said he felt everyone’s closeness and affection as if “he was being carried by all of God’s people.” The Pope added, “I pray for you too, and I pray above all, for peace. From here, all wars appear even more absurd. Let us pray for tormented Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, Myanmar, Sudan, and Kivu.”
He added, “Let us entrust ourselves to Mary, our mother. Happy Sunday and Arriva Derche,” or goodbye.
On Monday morning, the Vatican News gave another update on the Pope’s health. The Holy See Press Office said, “Pope Francis slept well throughout the night.” The website also revealed that the Holy Father had breakfast after waking up, before starting with the day’s therapies.
As the Pope continues to battle his illness, the Vatican remains on high alert. Twice-daily medical updates are keeping the faithful informed, while discussions about the Church’s future intensify. With Pope Francis’ health in question, the world waits to see what the coming days will bring.
