Signed by the pope and dated Feb. 11, three days before Pope Francis was hospitalized, the decree was released by the Vatican Feb. 26.

A Reflection for Wednesday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time, by Heather Trotta

Pope Francis introduced a new option for receiving an indulgence this Jubilee Year: fasting from the internet and social media.

Canon law states that a pope can resign, but it stipulates that the papal resignation must be “made freely and properly manifested”—conditions that would be difficult to ascertain if a pope were already incapacitated.

Pope Francis remains in “critical but stationary” condition, according to the medical report released by the Vatican this evening. The report does not mention any improvement since yesterday’s medical update.

Pope Francis remains in critical condition, but he is stable and there is “a slight improvement” today on various fronts, according to the latest medical report from his doctors.