A weak Pope Francis is wielding power and rewriting the narrative of how popes exercise authority

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Pope Francis notching important milestones this week as he recovers from pneumonia
The recovery of Pope Francis from double pneumonia continued Wednesday as he inched toward the 12th anniversary of his election as pope.NBC News - Mar. 12 -
Pope Francis no longer in immediate danger, Vatican says
Latest medical update for 88-year-old pontiff said he was responding well to treatment in hospital . Pope Francis is no longer in immediate danger and is responding well to treatment in hospital, ...The Guardian - Mar. 10 -
A day-by-day look at Pope Francis' hospitalization for pneumonia, at the 3-week mark
Pope Francis was hospitalized on Feb. 14 after suffering a bout of bronchitis for weeks and after increasingly finding it hard to speak publiclyABC News - Mar. 7 -
Pope Francis shows 'slight improvement' amid weekslong hospitalization, Vatican says
Pope Francis has shown a "gradual, slight improvement" after more than three weeks in the hospital, the Vatican said Saturday.NBC News - Mar. 8 -
Pope Francis' prognosis has been 'lifted' on 25th consecutive day in hospital
Pope Francis' prognosis has been "lifted" on Monday, his 25th consecutive day in the hospital, according to the Vatican.ABC News - Mar. 10 -
Pope Francis is no longer in imminent danger but he remains hospitalized
In a sign of his improved health, Pope Francis followed the Vatican's weeklong spiritual retreat via videoconference on Monday.CBS News - Mar. 10 -
Vatican releases first photo of Pope Francis since his hospitalization
The Vatican press office released a photo of Pope Francis on Sunday in a private chapel of Rome's Gemelli Hospital.ABC News - 5d -
Vatican releases first photo of Pope Francis since his hospitalization
Pope Francis was photographed at the hospital for the first time since he was admitted last month for double pneumonia.NBC News - 5d -
Vatican releases first photo of Pope Francis during monthlong hospital stay
The Vatican said Pope Francis, who has been hospitalized since Feb. 14, was participating in the celebration of the Mass with other priests.CBS News - 5d -
In his own words: Pope Francis has long been up front about his health problems and eventual death
Pope Francis has written and spoken at length about sickness, aging and deathABC News - Mar. 11 -
Pope Francis showing "gradual, slight improvement," Vatican says
The Vatican said Pope Francis is showing "gradual, slight improvement." The 88-year-old has been in the hospital for 23 days, battling double pneumonia.CBS News - Mar. 8 -
Pope works on signature reform from hospital as recovery continues
Pope Francis entered the fifth week of hospital treatment for double pneumonia on Saturday.CBS News - Mar. 15 -
Pope from hospital pens letter to the editor as plans advance for April 8 meeting with King Charles
Pope Francis has said in a letter to an Italian newspaper that his lengthy illness has helped make “more lucid” to him the absurdity of war and the power of words to shape the truth and factsABC News - 4d -
In his own words: Pope Francis' views on resigning changed over time
Pope Francis has entered his fourth week in the hospital with double pneumonia, increasingly handing off his day-to-day duties to cardinals as questions swirl about the near and long-term future of ...ABC News - Mar. 8 -
Vatican releases first photo of Pope Francis since hospitalization
The Vatican has released the first photo of Pope Francis since he was hospitalized more than a month ago. He is still dealing with lung and breathing issues but is no longer in critical condition.CBS News - 5d -
Italian postal service sees surge in mail for Pope Francis, much sent from children
The Italian postal service has seen a huge increase in mail addressed to Pope Francis since his Feb. 14 hospitalizationABC News - 2d -
Pope thanks volunteers for "miracle of tenderness" they offer the sick
Pope Francis issued a message thanking volunteers for the "miracle of tenderness" they offer the sick as he continues to recover from double pneumonia.CBS News - Mar. 9 -
Pope Francis Projects a Lonely Moral Voice in a New World of Politics and Trump
The pope has emerged as an increasingly lonely moral voice against perilous global trends like nationalism and populism.The New York Times - Mar. 13 -
The Guardian view on Pope Francis: protecting a progressive legacy | Editorial
The pontiff is off the critical list and stable. But his achievements will need to be safeguarded in an inevitable power struggle to come. The release on Sunday of the first photograph of ...The Guardian - 4d -
Vatican seeks to debunk fake news on health of Pope Francis
Since pontiff was hospitalised conspiracy theories have swirled online claiming he has died. While Pope Francis was being treated for double pneumonia, Italian TikToker Ottavo made his way ...The Guardian - Mar. 11 -
Pope Francis marks 12th anniversary of his papacy hospitalized but with his condition improving
Pope Francis marked the 12th anniversary of his papacy Thursday with increasingly positive medical updates four weeks into his hospitalization for double pneumonia.NBC News - Mar. 13 -
Pope Francis no longer needs mechanical help to breathe as his health improves, Vatican says
Pope Francis’ condition continued to improve and he hasn’t needed to use the mechanical ventilation mask to help him breathe, the Vatican said.NBC News - 2d -
Pope Francis advisers say he'll recover from pneumonia and a 'new stage' is opening for him
Two of Pope Francis’ closest advisers are predicting that he will recover from pneumonia and that a “new stage” in his pontificate will open after he is releasedABC News - 16h -
Pope enters fifth week of hospital treatment for double pneumonia on positive trajectory
Pope Francis has entered the fifth week of hospital treatment for double pneumonia with signs of recovery continuing on a positive trajectoryABC News - Mar. 15 -
The pope is no longer in imminent danger, doctors say
Pope Francis woke up Tuesday to good news from his doctors: They upgraded his prognosis and say he is no longer in imminent danger of death from pneumonia.NBC News - Mar. 11 -
Catholics mark Pope's 12th anniversary with prayers for his recovery
Pope Francis, who was elected on 13 March 2013, has been in hospital for the past month and has been improving in recent days.BBC News - Mar. 13 -
Pope marks the 12th anniversary of his papacy hospitalized but with condition improving
Pope Francis marked the 12th anniversary of his papacy Thursday with increasingly positive medical updates four weeks into his hospitalization for double pneumoniaABC News - Mar. 13 -
Pope thanks those who care for the sick as he continues to recover in hospital
Francis pays tribute to ‘miracle of tenderness’ after doctors report slight improvement in his condition. Pope Francis has issued a message from his hospital bed thanking medical staff and ...The Guardian - Mar. 9 -
Pope seen praying at hospital chapel in photo released by Vatican
Francis pictured for first time since he was admitted to hospital more than a month ago with pneumonia. The Vatican has released the first photograph of Pope Francis since the 88-year-old was ...The Guardian - 5d -
Pope, responding well, rests as Vatican marks another Holy Year event without him
Pope Francis is continuing his recovery from double pneumonia after doctors reported some positive newsABC News - Mar. 9 -
Pope following Vatican's spiritual retreat from afar as he recovers from pneumonia
Pope Francis is participating in the Vatican’s spiritual retreat from a Rome hospital as he continues his recovery from double pneumoniaABC News - Mar. 10 -
Pope thanks volunteers for ‘miracle of tenderness’ as another Holy Year event passes without him
Pope Francis issued a message Sunday thanking volunteers for the “miracle of tenderness” they offer the sick, as he continued his recovery from double pneumonia.NBC News - Mar. 9 -
Pope following Vatican's spiritual retreat from afar as he recovers from pneumonia in hospital
Pope Francis is participating in the Vatican’s weeklong spiritual retreat from a Rome hospital as he continues his recovery from double pneumonia.NBC News - Mar. 10 -
Pope Francis responding well to treatment, Vatican says
The 88-year-old prayed on Saturday morning in the chapel of the papal suite at Rome's Gemelli Hospital, the Vatican said.BBC News - Mar. 8 -
As Pope Francis Ails, Outlandish Rumors Run Wild
Audio, a photo, medical reports: The truth may be out there, but when it comes to the health of the pontiff, many people prefer more fanciful tales.The New York Times - 2d -
How much can Louisville's Pat Kelsey, Kentucky's Mark Pope earn in postseason bonuses?
As 2025 postseason tournaments begin, here's a look at Pat Kelsey's, Mark Pope's contracts, performance incentives for Louisville, Kentucky hoops.Yahoo Sports - 3d -
Pope to miss Angelus delivery at St. Peter's Square for 5th Sunday since hospitalization
Pope Francis continues his recovery from double pneumonia at Rome’s Gemelli hospital with the Vatican expected to issue the traditional Sunday Angelus prayer as a written text for the fifth ...ABC News - 6d -
Francis rests in hospital as Holy Year marches on without him, this weekend dedicated to volunteers
Pope Francis is continuing his recovery from double pneumonia as the Vatican’s Holy Year is proceeding without himABC News - Mar. 8 -
Mark Pope's first season with Kentucky basketball will be defined by 1 thing: NCAA success
Mark Pope's first season guiding Kentucky, his alma mater, always will be viewed through the prism of how the Wildcats fare in the NCAA Tournament.Yahoo Sports - 6d
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Planes begin to land at airport but airlines said the closure would continue to have a ‘huge impact’ on passengers in the coming days. Willie Walsh , the International Air Transport Association ...The Guardian - 20m -
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Pope Francis to make first public appearance since being admitted to hospital
Vatican says pontiff will come to the window of his room on Sunday to offer a greeting and blessing. Pope Francis is poised to make his first public appearance in more than five weeks, greeting ...The Guardian - 30m -
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