With Pope Francis entering his fourth week in hospital, those working in the Apostolic Palace are grappling with the continuing uncertainty over the pope’s health. The same is true for everyone in the Vatican.

Francis may yet recover, but his health scare has raised questions over who would become the next pope if he were to die. A pope’s death is confirmed by the head of the Vatican’s health department and the Holy Roman Church’s cardinal chamberlain.

As Pope Francis remains hospitalised, questions arise about who governs the Vatican in his absence. While the pontiff holds supreme authority, the Roman Curia — his bureaucratic body — plays a crucial role.