Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin visited Pope Francis at the 10th-floor hospital of Gemelli Hospital in Rome on Monday. Insiders suspect that Parolin may well become Pope Francis' dyed-in-the-wool successor.

As Pope Francis remains hospitalized, speculation intensifies over who could be the next leader of the Catholic Church

Entrusting the pope "to the powerful intercession of most holy Mary," the cardinal said, "may she sustain him in this time of illness and help him to recover."

Thousands of people gathered in St. Peter's Square on a chilly, rainy evening to pray for an ailing Pope Francis.

Despite his hospital stay, Pope Francis remains in charge of the Catholic Church. But what if his health continues to decline?

The Vatican has detailed laws and rituals to ensure the transfer of power when a pope dies or resigns, but not when he is sick

The Vatican also released Francis' message for Lent, which runs from March 5 to April 17. The message, dated Feb. 6, encouraged Catholics to put themselves in the shoes of a migrant as an “examination of conscience.”

On February 24, prayers for Pope Francis continued at Gemelli Hospital, where the Holy Father remains hospitalized. In the St. John Paul II Chapel, Adoration was led by the chaplain at noon, followed by Holy Mass. Let's continue to pray for Pope Francis. pic.twitter.com/ZCZm5mskYg