Pope Francis is currently undergoing treatment at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital for a respiratory infection that has progressed to bilateral pneumonia. In light of his diagnosis, the Vatican has cancelled all his public engagements through Sunday in an effort to prioritize his health and recovery.
The 88-year-old religious leader was initially admitted on February 14 after a week-long battle with bronchitis worsened. Subsequent medical evaluations, including a chest CAT scan, revealed the onset of pneumonia in both lungs, requiring an intensified treatment regimen. The Vatican has since described his clinical condition as “complex,” highlighting the unique challenges in fighting the infection, according to Reuters.
Despite the severity of his illness, Pope Francis remains in good spirits. Reports indicate that he has been able to rest peacefully, waking up to have breakfast, and engaging in limited activities from his hospital room. The Vatican has emphasized his stable condition, noting the absence of a fever.
The global Catholic community has responded with an outpouring of support and prayers for Pope Francis’s swift recovery. Messages of solidarity have flooded in from religious leaders, heads of state, and people worldwide, underscoring the Pope’s profound influence and the deep, shared concern for his well-being.
A pilgrim carries a cross on the day of the weekly general audience, which has been cancelled as Pope Francis is admitted to Gemelli Hospital to continue treatment for his ongoing respiratory tract infection, at the Vatican, February 19, 2025. REUTERS/Remo Casilli
This hospitalization is the latest in a series of health challenges Pope Francis has faced in recent years. Several decades before papacy, he underwent surgery to remove part of one lung due to developing pleurisy, making him more susceptible to respiratory issues. In 2023, he was hospitalized for influenza symptoms, and he has also dealt with chronic knee pain and colon surgery. These underlying health conditions have likely contributed to the escalation of his current medical situation.
A faithful from Bolivia holds lit candles with the portrait of Pope Francis outside the Gemelli Hospital, where Pope Francis is admitted to continue treatment for a respiratory tract infection, in Rome, Italy, February 18, 2025. REUTERS/Remo Casilli
In accordance with his condition, the Vatican has adjusted the Pope’s schedule, while it continues to provide regular updates on his condition, urging the faithful to keep the Pope in their prayers during this challenging time.
The statue of the late Pope John Paul II stands outside the Gemelli Hospital, where Pope Francis is admitted to continue treatment for a respiratory tract infection, in Rome, Italy, February 18, 2025. REUTERS/Remo Casilli
The Pope’s situation remains delicate due to his age and medical history. The coming days will be critical in determining the trajectory of his recovery.
