American Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke, 75 years old, very close to Donald Trump, openly criticizes Pope Francis, who, due to the state of retirement from the mandate of Pope Benedict, lives in the Vatican and takes over papal duties, was recently fired, deprived of compensation and informed of the Pope’s order to leave Vatican.

Pope Francis’ “unprecedented” decision to expel critical Cardinal Raymond Burke from his Vatican residence

The Pope’s decision will deepen the rift between the Vatican and the conservative American Church.

A few weeks ago, Francis deposed Joseph Strickland, a Texas bishop who criticized his efforts to bring the Church to a progressive position on abortion, transgender rights and same-sex marriage.

Francis’s argument is that the very structure of the Church he governs does not allow him to take positions and act against his authority.

Joseph Strickland, the bishop who was excommunicated by Pope Francis after his criticism of attempts to reform the Catholic Church

I mention what is happening in the Vatican because of the decision of President Daniel Noboa to assign Vice President Verónica Abad the sole task of being “Associate for peace and preventing the escalation of the conflict between Israel and Palestine”, and she must carry out in the diplomatic headquarters in Tel Aviv, a decision that led to question the vice-president herself – who, however, agreed to take it over so that it would not be a basis for dismissal, since the second paragraph of art. 149 of the Constitution says: “The Vice President of the Republic, when she is not replacing the President of the Republic, will carry out the duties that he entrusts to her” – not a possibility, but an obligation.

Impediment to rule is essential to consider the temporary absence of the president, not the absence itself.

As for the temporary holding of the Presidency by the Vice-President, Art. 146 of the Constitution says: “In case of temporary absence from the Presidency of the Republic, he is replaced by the person holding the position of Vice-Presidency.” “Temporary absence will be considered illness or other force majeure circumstance that prevents him from performing his duties for a maximum of three months, or absence approved by the National Assembly…”.

An impediment to rule is what is essential to consider the temporary absence of the president, not the mere absence of national territory or license whether in Ecuador or not.

The Catholic Church has declared on the baptism of transgender believers and children of same-sex couples

The same art. 146 orders: “In the event of the final absence of the President of the Republic, he or she is replaced by the one who holds the office of Vice President for the time remaining until the end of the corresponding presidential term.”

Art. 150 establishes that in case of temporary absence of the vice-president, in addition to the already indicated definition of inability to hold office, the president will designate a “minister” for that temporary period. If the absence is final, the president must submit to the National Assembly a shortlist for the appointment of a new vice president for the entire remaining period.

Flu and conservative critics, the challenges of Pope Francis who could not read his speech or attend the COP28 climate conference in Dubai

The president will never be able to ignore the fact that there is someone who expects a disaster or a change to succeed him, regardless of whether the possible successor refrained from protagonism or tried to show it, and even more so if he is critical. (OR)