Who’s in charge when the pope is unconscious and unable to govern? The pope

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VATICAN CITY (AP) — Question: Who runs the Catholic Church when the pope is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to govern?

Answer: The pope.

The Vatican has detailed laws, rituals and norms to transfer papal power if a pope dies or resigns. But none of them apply when he is sick or even unconscious. Pope Leo XIV had surgery Tuesday to remove part of his right lung due to cancer. The Vatican hasn’t mentioned if any further treatment is expected.

Leo’s audiences have been canceled through Oct. 20, but he remains very much in charge of the papacy.

The pope’s role is universal by design

The pope is the successor of the Apostle Peter, the head of the college of bishops, the Vicar of Christ and the pastor of the universal Catholic Church on Earth, according to the church’s in-house canon law.

Nothing changes in his status, role or power since Leo was elected the 267th pope on May 8, 2025.

The Vatican bureaucracy already helps him govern

Leo may be in charge, but he already delegates the day-to-day running of the Vatican and church to a team of officials who operate…