Despite pope's hospitalization, Vatican offices continue to run

Published: 2005-02-04

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- When Pope John Paul II goes to the hospital, who's in charge at the Vatican? For Catholics and non-Catholics around the world, the question arose when the 84-year-old pontiff was hospitalized for flu complications in February. At the Vatican, however, it was almost a nonissue. "It's not really on our minds, because most Vatican business doesn't need the pope's direct intervention," said one member of a Vatican congregation. "And as long as the pope's absence is brief or his condition allows him to review church affairs from his hospital bed, there's simply no problem," the official added. In fact, Vatican sources said, some important church business was already being sent over for papal review on the second day of the pope's hospitalization at Rome's Gemelli Hospital. There are some things only the pope can do, like appoint bishops, make curial appointments or approve some major documents. But the bulk of the daily work performed by the more than 30 major offices of the Roman Curia does not need the pope's immediate supervision.

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