Pope Francis – health. What next? Scenarios multiply in the Vatican

This is the 11th day that Francis spends in this clinic. Faithful gather in front of Gemelli to pray together for health for the Pope.

“We can't lose him now, I hope it will recover.” He is a very strong man – says one of the interlocutors. – We are full of hope, because the Holy Father always talked about her – adds another.

“The night was successful, the Pope slept and rests,” the Press Office of the Holy See said in a laconic communication. Franciszek's health remains critical, but from Saturday there have not been other breathing problems.

– Il Messaggero – a newspaper with experienced Vatican correspondents – he writes about what was crucial in the evening. Kidney problems begin – says Maja Wójcikowska, TVN24 correspondent in Rome.

Mild kidney failure is to be under the control of doctors for now.

– Pope Francis also fills his pastoral tasks from the hospital bed – said his close collaborator in an interview with Roman daily La Repubblica, Father Antonio Pararo. However, with the still persistent serious state of health of the Pope, questions arise about possible abdication.

– He said many times that he has no intention of consciously abdicated – notes Artur Sporniak, a journalist of “Tygodnik Powszechny”.

Read also: “Forza Francesco”, “Silence of the Curia”. Italian press: The world is worried

If his condition prevented the actual office – the Vatican knows what to do. Franciszek himself took care of it in 2013.

– When he was elected Pope, he signed his resignation in case he fell into such a disease that would prevent him from functioning – indicates Artur Sporniak.

– The resignation is in the safe in case of loss of vitality and mental forces of the Pope. This situation does not exist at the moment, so there will be no resignation – says prof. Arkadiusz Stempin, political scientist, historian, Vaticanist.

Italian media do not stop asking about future conclave and its effects. Franciszek has prepared a cardinals' college for the last 11 years to choose his successor. On 138 cardinals-electors, i.e. those who will vote during the conclave, as many as 110 was appointed by Francis himself.

– You can count that he chose people who somehow supported him in his thinking about the Church – comments Artur Sporniak.

– We can expect Franciszek II in 99 percent, not Benedict XVII – says Arkadiusz Stempin. – We can expect a liberal church, which will not be the Church that Poles identify with Jędraszewski's church – he adds.

It is therefore expected to continue the changes, which the current pope began in the Catholic Church. Franciszek wants the Church to put a man higher than the doctrine and that he would constantly seek an agreement with the changing world.

– He tried to constantly discern what the world needs, what the Church needs – says Jan Maria Szewek, a Franciscan. – He did not swam in luxuries, for him it is important to be close to poor people – indicates one of the interlocutors.

Of course, there is no certain candidate for the successor of Francis, but experts indicate some likely favorites.

– In my opinion, Cardinal Parolin, Secretary of State and Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, Archbishop of Bologna – says Arkadiusz Stempin.

The faithful await more, more positive messages from the Gemelli clinic. – We are concerned about his health, we all pray for him here – says one of our interlocutors.

– There is certainly a stir, because it is the most important person in the capital of Peter, but pilgrims do not stop it either, they pray for him – indicates Mr. Mateusz, a pilgrim from Poland.

Due to the complex situation, doctors are not able to provide further forecasts regarding the health of the Pope.