Who’s who at the Vatican?

By Daniel Speed Thompson, Associate Professor of Religious Studies, University of Dayton

For more than two weeks, eyes have been on the Vatican, awaiting news about Pope Francis’ health. The pope has been at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital since Feb. 14, 2025, being treated for double pneumonia and other complications.

When a pope is ill, resigns or passes away, who steps in? And who else helps lead the Holy See? The Conversation U.S. asked Daniel Speed…

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~	Many tourism hotspots are ‘de-marketing’ – with mixed success. We researched the smartest ways to do it

~	Bacterial meningitis is deadly, but can also have life-altering long-term effects – new study

~	What is Nowruz, the Iranian new year?

~	What does One Nation actually believe in?

~	How does your super balance compare to other people your age?

~	Indigenous Australians always come off worst in disasters. This needs to stop

~	What is Flumist, the new flu vaccine for kids that’s sprayed in their noses?

~	Fines alone won’t stop big tech behaving badly. Here’s what might work

~	Some kids stop swimming lessons too early. How well can your child actually swim?

~	Friday essay: my mother survived polio – stories like hers show why vaccination matters