Pope Francis, who has been in hospital for two weeks with double pneumonia, is in a “stable” condition, with no recurrence of the previous day’s breathing crisis, the Vatican said on Saturday.
The 88-year-old head of the Catholic Church is still receiving oxygen but has no fever, has been eating, is alert, and praying, the Holy See said in its regular evening update.
His haemodynamic parameters—those relating to the flow of blood—are also stable, and he does not have leukocytosis, a high white blood cell count that often indicates an infection, the Vatican added.
“The clinical conditions of the Holy Father have remained stable,” it said, while noting that the prognosis, as in previous days, remained “reserved.”
Francis, leader of the world’s almost 1.4 billion Catholics, was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on 14 February with bronchitis, which later developed into pneumonia in both lungs.
Pope Francis, who has been in hospital for two weeks with double pneumonia, is in a “stable” condition, with no recurrence of the previous day’s breathing crisis, the Vatican said on Saturday.
The 88-year-old head of the Catholic Church is still receiving oxygen but has no fever, has been eating, is alert, and praying, the Holy See said in its regular evening update.
His haemodynamic parameters—those relating to the flow of blood—are also stable, and he does not have leukocytosis, a high white blood cell count that often indicates an infection, the Vatican added.
“The clinical conditions of the Holy Father have remained stable,” it said, while noting that the prognosis, as in previous days, remained “reserved.”
Francis, leader of the world’s almost 1.4 billion Catholics, was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on 14 February with bronchitis, which later developed into pneumonia in both lungs.
Last weekend, the Vatican reported that he was in a “critical” condition, suffering a major respiratory attack and requiring blood transfusions, prompting widespread concern.
Throughout the week, officials described incremental improvements, but on Friday, there was more alarming news.
Francis “presented an isolated crisis of bronchospasm which… led to an episode of vomiting with inhalation and a sudden worsening of the respiratory picture,” the Vatican said.
His doctors said it would take 24 to 48 hours to determine whether this had worsened his condition.
Andrea Ungar, professor of geriatrics at the University of Florence, told AFP on Saturday that it appeared vomit had entered the Pope’s lungs, “aggravating the pneumonia.”
Such a condition typically requires stronger antibiotics, ventilation, and respiratory exercises, he said.
He also agreed that the first 24 to 48 hours after such an incident were crucial, adding that the pontiff would likely remain in hospital for a long time—”at least 10 days” in the most optimistic scenario.
Catholics and other well-wishers around the world have been praying for the Pope, a liberal reformer who has led the Church for almost 12 years.
On Saturday, pilgrims continued to visit the Gemelli Hospital despite the rain, lighting candles and praying at the foot of a statue of former Pope John Paul II.
“I’m very sad,” Assunta Pandolfi, a retiree from Rome, told AFP, but added that she was confident the Pope would recover.
About a dozen nuns also prayed for the pontiff, while handwritten messages for Francis, illustrated posters by children, and balloons bearing his image were displayed.
“The whole world is worried,” added Cristina Funaro, noting the presence of television crews from across the globe gathered outside the hospital.
Francis has continued to work from the special papal suite on the Gemelli’s 10th floor, but his absence has sparked fresh speculation about his ability to lead the Church.
He has not been seen in public since the morning of his hospital admission, which is his fourth since 2021 and the longest of his papacy.
On Sunday, Francis will miss his weekly Angelus prayer for the third weekend in a row, with the Vatican saying it will instead publish a written text.
search button
Most Widely Read Newspaper
Home
News
Featured
Politics
Metro Plus
Business
Sports
HealthWise
PUNCH Lite
Editorial
Columns
Videos
Continuation From Print
Pope Francis recovering, breathing stable — Vatican
2nd March 2025
POPE
Pope Francis [Credit: AFP]
Agency Report
Kindly share this story:
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready…
Pope Francis, who has been in hospital for two weeks with double pneumonia, is in a “stable” condition, with no recurrence of the previous day’s breathing crisis, the Vatican said on Saturday.
The 88-year-old head of the Catholic Church is still receiving oxygen but has no fever, has been eating, is alert, and praying, the Holy See said in its regular evening update.
His haemodynamic parameters—those relating to the flow of blood—are also stable, and he does not have leukocytosis, a high white blood cell count that often indicates an infection, the Vatican added.
“The clinical conditions of the Holy Father have remained stable,” it said, while noting that the prognosis, as in previous days, remained “reserved.”
Francis, leader of the world’s almost 1.4 billion Catholics, was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on 14 February with bronchitis, which later developed into pneumonia in both lungs.
Last weekend, the Vatican reported that he was in a “critical” condition, suffering a major respiratory attack and requiring blood transfusions, prompting widespread concern.
Throughout the week, officials described incremental improvements, but on Friday, there was more alarming news.
Francis “presented an isolated crisis of bronchospasm which… led to an episode of vomiting with inhalation and a sudden worsening of the respiratory picture,” the Vatican said.
His doctors said it would take 24 to 48 hours to determine whether this had worsened his condition.
Andrea Ungar, professor of geriatrics at the University of Florence, told AFP on Saturday that it appeared vomit had entered the Pope’s lungs, “aggravating the pneumonia.”
Such a condition typically requires stronger antibiotics, ventilation, and respiratory exercises, he said.
He also agreed that the first 24 to 48 hours after such an incident were crucial, adding that the pontiff would likely remain in hospital for a long time—”at least 10 days” in the most optimistic scenario.
A Worried World
Catholics and other well-wishers around the world have been praying for the Pope, a liberal reformer who has led the Church for almost 12 years.
On Saturday, pilgrims continued to visit the Gemelli Hospital despite the rain, lighting candles and praying at the foot of a statue of former Pope John Paul II.
Related News
Pope Francis suffers breathing ‘crisis’ – Vatican
Pope’s condition no longer critical — Vatican
Pope remains in critical condition, resumed some work — Vatican
“I’m very sad,” Assunta Pandolfi, a retiree from Rome, told AFP, but added that she was confident the Pope would recover.
About a dozen nuns also prayed for the pontiff, while handwritten messages for Francis, illustrated posters by children, and balloons bearing his image were displayed.
“The whole world is worried,” added Cristina Funaro, noting the presence of television crews from across the globe gathered outside the hospital.
Recovery Will Take Time
Francis has continued to work from the special papal suite on the Gemelli’s 10th floor, but his absence has sparked fresh speculation about his ability to lead the Church.
He has not been seen in public since the morning of his hospital admission, which is his fourth since 2021 and the longest of his papacy.
On Sunday, Francis will miss his weekly Angelus prayer for the third weekend in a row, with the Vatican saying it will instead publish a written text.
The Jesuit, who had part of one of his lungs removed as a young man, has suffered increasing health problems in recent years.
In 2021, he underwent colon surgery, and two years later, he had a hernia operation. He is also prone to bronchitis and suffers from hip and knee pain, which has made him reliant on a wheelchair.
Francis has always left open the possibility of resigning if his health declines, following the example of his predecessor, German theologian Benedict XVI, who stepped down in 2013.
Before his hospitalisation, Francis repeatedly said that it was not yet the time—and may never be.
However, medical experts have warned that due to his age and existing health conditions, a sustained recovery will take time.
Francis maintains a packed schedule, particularly now, as the Church prepares for the Jubilee Holy Year, an event expected to draw tens of millions of pilgrims to Rome and the Vatican.
