It’s even louder this time since Benedict XVI set a precedent and stepped down in 2013, the first Pope to do so in six centuries.

Francis has said before that he would consider resigning if he can’t carry out his duties.

“His instinct will be to carry on as long as he can and is able to,” believes Austen Ivereigh, who co-authored a book with Pope Francis.

“He’s shown he doesn’t mind being a weak and frail Pope; he can be a Pope in a wheelchair, or one who gets ill regularly and that’s ok.”

All the same, if his health prognosis were too bad, the author said, “then the [resignation] issue might arise.”

Even with Francis confined to the Gemelli hospital, the well-oiled Vatican cogs continue to turn. The bureaucracy functions and the Pope has been signing some documents.

On Monday, his secretary of state and another senior official visited.

Officially, the Pope signed papers, moving a list of candidates further along the path towards sainthood.

But some question why they couldn’t wait, given the frailty of the Pope, and wonder what other plans were discussed at that meeting.

As Francis enters his 14th day in hospital, pilgrims to Rome are already experiencing life without him. His weekly audience, or meeting, with the faithful was cancelled for the second week.

“We really want him to get better and continue the amazing work he’s started,” said Mabi.

She mentions the foregrounding of women in the church in particular.

“He’s a people’s Pope and people want his work to continue.”

“We’re sorry, because we hoped to meet the Pope today at an audience – we had tickets,” Fr Cristiano said.

Around him almost 100 Catholics from northern Italy were gathering to begin processing up the street towards St Peter’s behind a large wooden crucifix.

“I’m not disappointed, I’m just worried for him,” the priest said. “Today the news is not so bad, but it’s not so good, either. So we need to pray.”