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| of course what would be really interesting would be if the pope entered a persistant vegetative state... There isn't any provision for a regent or advisers to take on the powers of an incapacitated pope - When a pope is ill all matter that require papal authority, which includes electing Cardinals and Bishops, is put on hold... imagine 15-15 years of deferred dedcision making - what state would the Catholic Church be in without an effective leader for such a time. Which brings us to a further question - papal euthenasia - killing off an incapacitated pope to clear the way for a new candidate, which would be a neat little irony considering the church's views on euthenasia. Of course, if such a thing was done, you'd never hear of it - the pope is surrounded by church aproved doctors and has proven itself not above concealing the full facts from the faithful in the past when it comes to the health of the Pontiff... |
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