The Vatican houses the central government of the Catholic Church and is also an independent city-state. The pope is both the head of the Catholic Church and head of state. In order to govern both, he has the Roman Curia, meaning “court.” In modern terms, the Curia is the papal bureaucracy. It is an extension of the pope’s authority.

Over the weekend, the Vatican announced serious complications in the recovery of Pope Francis. The 88-year-old pontiff, who has been hospitalized for 10 days, is battling pneumonia and on Sunday also appeared to be in the early stages of kidney failure, the Vatican said.

Pope Emeritus Benedict stepped down from the papacy, making him the first one to take such a step in six centuries. This became one of the biggest events of the century. In 1953, the chemical structur

Concerns over Pope Francis' health have mounted in recent years as have questions about his succession. Here's what we know.

Pope Benedict XVI officially stepped down as leader of the Roman Catholic Church, citing a "lack of strength of mind and body."

When Benedict XVI became the first pope to resign in 600 years it sent shockwaves through the Catholic Church. Now, after spending two weeks in hospital battling pneumonia, the speculation in the Vatican is whether his successor Pope Francis might do the same.

(AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) FILE-- A mosaic icon of Pope Francis is lifted to be placed next to the icon of Benedict XVI inside St. Peter and Paul ... and pilgrims crowd St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican, Friday, April 25, 2014. (AP Photo/Gregorio ...

Concerns over Pope Francis' health have mounted in recent years as have questions about his succession. Here's what we know.