The 88-year-old Pontiff was first hospitalised on February 14th with breathing difficulties.
Since then, he has been diagnosed with phenomena in both lungs and blood tests show early signs of kidney failure.
His current health status is said to be “critical”.
If the pope were to pass away, an Irish Cardinal, Kevin Farrell, will play a crucial role in sharing the news with the world and will also become interim pope until a new pontiff is elected.
Cardinal Kevin Farrell is a senior-ranking member of the Catholic Church and the Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church since 2019.
If the pope dies, it is typically up to the Camerlengo to confirm the death of a pope.
Traditionally, in the event of the pope’s death - and after doctors have declared him dead - Farrell reportedly visits the pope’s body in his private chapel and calls his name.
If he doesn’t respond, it is tradition to destroy his signet ring and mark the end of his reign.
Who is Cardinal Kevin Farrell?
Farrell was born in Dublin in 1947 and has been serving as an ordained priest since 1978 in Rome. He went on to serve as a chaplain in Mexico until the early 80s when he joined the Archdiocese of Washington in the US. Farrell was later appointed bishop of Dallas by Pope Benedict XVI in 2007.
In 2016, Pope Francis raised Farrell's rank to Cardinal and in 2019 he was named Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church.
Farrell is highly educated, with a Bachelor of Arts degree, a Master in Philosophy degree, Master of Theology degree and a Master of business Administration degree under his belt. Farrell was also awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Notre Dame in 2017.
In September 2020, Pope Francis appointed him to be the president of the Commission for Confidential Matters and in June 2023, he was named President of the Vatican City State Supreme Court.