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.

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.

The pope was admitted to hospital on February 14 where he is fighting a complex respiratory infection and pneumonia in both lungs.

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 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 ...

Pope Francis' approach to LGBTQ issues marked a major, if mixed, shift in tone for the Catholic Church -- from scorn to tolerance and acceptance.

Gandhi’s Scant Garb Bars Audience with Pope.” So read the headline of a New York Times report, from December 13, 1931, that the Vatican had cancelled a meeting between Pius XI and “the Indian nationalist leader” because the Pope thought he might be criticized “if he received the visitor in his usual scanty clothing.

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

When Benedict XVI became the first pope to resign ... the speculation in the Vatican is whether his successor Pope Francis might do the same. “I think the only circumstances under which he ...