The increasingly fragile state of Francis’s health has spurred speculation as to whether he could opt to step down and make way for a successor, as his predecessor Benedict XVI had done.

A chest X-ray has confirmed improvements in Pope Francis' condition in his fourth week in the hospital for treatment of double pneumonia.

Pope Francis was taken off a mechanical ventilation on Wednesday. He has been suffering from double pneumonia for almost three weeks. AFP via Getty Images ... predecessor Benedict XVI and resign.

The bookmakers currently have him as sixth favorite to take over at the Vatican after Pope Francis. Burke, who was Archbishop of St. Louis, was called to Rome by the then Pope, Benedict XVI ...

The Vatican has yet to release any photos or videos of Francis since ... Francis was elected in 2013 on the fifth ballot following Pope Benedict XVI's historic resignation. While Francis once ...

The former Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected on the fifth ballot of the 2013 conclave that was called after Pope Benedict XVI resigned ... has released no photos or video of Francis ...

A priest holds a photograph of Pope Francis as faithful pray during the nightly rosary prayer service in St Peter's Square on March 6, 2025, in Vatican City, Italy. AFP/Getty Images Pope Francis ...

MARATHON: Signs of spring (YouTube Video) "CBS Sunday Morning" marks the start of spring with this special marathon, ...