The Vatican has laws to ensure the transfer of power when a pope dies or resigns, but they don't apply if he is sick.

Pope Francis remained in critical condition as the Vatican called senior church officials in Rome to a special saying of the rosary in St. Peter’s Square.

While the Vatican has detailed laws and rituals to ensure the transfer of power when a pope dies or resigns, they do not apply if he is sick or even unconscious.

Catholic cardinals gathered in Rome will offer a nightly rosary for Pope Francis as the pontiff remains hospitalized in critical condition with a respiratory infection

A legislative gap in the Vatican's laws leaves Pope Francis in charge despite his severe illness. An initiative to rectify this has gained support, suggesting a process involving medical evaluations and the college of cardinals to manage the Church in case of papal incapacity.

St. Joseph's Church Pastor Father Gerald Murray lays out the two major issues the next pope will have to address and gives a glimpse into current state of the Catholic Church.