Speculation grows as Pope Francis remains in hospital

FRANCE 24 English

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00:00The mood music from the Vatican remained positive.

00:03Pope Francis had a peaceful night's sleep, read the papers,

00:06and ate breakfast when he woke up from his fourth night in hospital.

00:10The proof that despite his respiratory infection, he is still breathing on his own.

00:15But his aides have extended his recovery period, clearing his diary, until the start of next week.

00:22Life goes on in Rome, and tourists still flock to the Vatican City.

00:28I wish for him a speedy recovery, and that he will have many strong years left in him.

00:33I feel very sorry for him.

00:35We hope he will get better soon and recover.

00:41But speculation is swirling around Gemelli Hospital.

00:45Aged 88, Pope Francis has been in a wheelchair since 2022,

00:49and this is his fourth hospitalisation in four years.

00:53He has remained an extremely active Pope,

00:55and completed his longest ever international tour last September.

00:59But could this be the illness that forces Pope Francis to re-evaluate?

01:04To what extent can he delegate his duties?

01:10The Church is equipped to face a vacant seat due to death.

01:13The Church has experience with Benedict to face a vacant seat due to resignation.

01:18But the real objective question is

01:20whether the Church is capable of facing a pontificate that continues with a Pope who needs a lot of help.

01:28Pope Francis lauded his predecessor's courage when Pope Benedict XVI broke precedent

01:33by stepping aside in his lifetime,

01:35but has fended off suggestions that he might do the same.

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