The changes Francis brought to the papacy were more than skin deep. He opened the church to the outside world in ways none of his predecessors had done before.

As Pope Francis remains in critical condition fighting a complex respiratory infection and double pneumonia, world and interfaith leaders are offering well wishes and prayers for the recovery of the Argentine pontiff.

The process of selecting a new Pope has become a matter of interest for many people. In the Catholic church, anyone who is a male can become pope.

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.

At least 80% of Catholics have expressed a favorable opinion of Pope Francis in 10 of the 15 U.S. surveys in which we have asked about the pope since 2013.

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.