ROME — The pope is a significant figure in Italian culture, with a plethora of phrases that humorously reflect on even the most somber events, including his passing. One common saying suggests that life continues with the sentiment, “A pope dies, they make another.” Another phrase, “Every death of a pope …” highlights the rarity of such occasions. However, perhaps the darkest saying that circulates when a pope is unwell is, “The pope is fine until he’s dead.” This expression has gained traction as Pope Francis remains hospitalized in Rome’s Gemelli hospital, where he is receiving treatment for pneumonia and a complicated respiratory infection.
The Vatican has been diligent in providing updates on his health, releasing information twice a day. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni mentioned that they shared light-hearted moments during her recent visit, but speculation—both accurate and unfounded—regarding the pope’s condition has proliferated. In today’s digital landscape, where chat groups, conspiracy theories, and internet memes thrive, the intense public focus on the pope and discussions about potential successors have become almost a cultural phenomenon.
The recent release of the Oscar-nominated film “Conclave” has only intensified public engagement regarding the intricate processes surrounding papal elections. Additionally, Pope Francis extended the term of the dean of the College of Cardinals instead of appointing a new official during this current transitional phase. At 88 years old, he is among the oldest popes in history, adding to the speculation about his health and future. Although he remains short of surpassing Pope Leo XIII, who lived to 93, he could potentially match or exceed the tenure of Pope Gregory XII, who resigned at age 88 during the Western Schism.
Pope Francis has expressed that he would consider resigning if his health deteriorated, yet he later affirmed that the role of a pope is typically for life. As the Vatican correspondents typically prepare for upcoming papal visits during this period, the lack of confirmed engagements has shifted their focus to retrospective pieces about his life in case they become necessary. Giovanni Maria Vian, a former editor of the Vatican newspaper, remarks that the saying about the pope’s well-being underscores both a Roman skepticism and a tendency toward information opacity when it comes to the Vatican.
The Vatican’s communication strategy has been opaque during this period, with no medical staff allowed to speak on camera or provide detailed updates, and no public photos of the pope have emerged since his hospitalization on February 14. Meanwhile, the intertwining of the pope’s life with Italian society was on full display during the recent Sanremo song festival, a popular annual event that generated additional attention for Francis. The festival featured a pre-recorded video appearance of the pope, inciting rumors about the authenticity of the video. When a popular blog speculated that it had been filmed last year instead of recently, concerns intensified regarding the state of the pope’s health.
Despite initial fears, it was confirmed that the video was indeed recent, recorded specifically for Sanremo, yet the severity of Francis’ bronchitis had escalated to pneumonia that led to his hospitalization. This incident highlighted the deep-rooted interest in the papacy among the Italian public, and jarring debates about his health and potential successors have become commonplace. Expressions of concern are palpable; for instance, Maurizio Di Folco, a patient at the same hospital, shared his worries and hopes for the pope’s recovery, describing him as a “great pope.”
In contrast, some of Francis’s conservative critics are actively circulating baseless theories about his condition, with figures like Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano revisiting unfounded assertions about the legitimacy of his papacy. Francis himself is aware of these dynamics and the speculations that circulate during his health crises, remarking on how some individuals were preparing for a conclave while he was hospitalized. While it’s often deemed inappropriate to openly discuss future papal prospects, such conversations are rampant in everyday settings across Rome.
Currently, Pope Francis continues to receive care, with recent updates suggesting he had taken breakfast sitting up and was collaborating with aides after showing slight improvements in his health parameters. Experts note that while there is a greater level of transparency regarding his condition, it is still somewhat limited, as many have suspected pneumonia before the Vatican acknowledged it publicly. The situation remains fluid, and all eyes will be on Francis and the Vatican in the days to come.
