Pope Francis has been hospitalized for double pneumonia, prompting concerns about his health and the implications for leadership in the Vatican. The pope governs the Catholic Church with the assistance of the Roman Curia, a papal bureaucracy crucial for administration. Besides the pope, influential figures include cardinals and curial officials who oversee various departments such as diplomacy and church doctrine. These officials support the implementation of the pope's agenda and are essential in the succession process should the need arise.
"In Catholic doctrine, the pope has the highest authority in the church, which can be exercised alone or with the College of Bishops, comprising all bishops worldwide."
"The papal bureaucracy, known as the Roman Curia, serves as an extension of the pope's authority, assisting in governance and administration of church matters."
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