Pope Francis faced a serious health scare on Monday as two acute respiratory crises forced doctors to return him to noninvasive mechanical ventilation. The 88-year-old pontiff, hospitalized since February 14 with pneumonia and a complex lung infection, suffered from bronchial spasms triggered by a “significant accumulation” of mucus. The Vatican reported that two bronchoscopies were needed to clear the “copious” secretions at Gemelli Polyclinic. Though alert and cooperative, his prognosis remains guarded.

Earlier, the Vatican had described Francis as stable, noting he enjoyed breakfast and slept well overnight. But the sudden downturn highlighted the ongoing severity of his condition after more than two weeks in the hospital – his longest absence from public view in 12 years. No photos or videos have been released, though he has begun signing documents from his bed, marked “From Gemelli Polyclinic.”

Amid his silence, Francis issued a message decrying the “progressive irrelevance” of international bodies in curbing global conflicts, a theme tied to his peace advocacy for Ukraine and Gaza. Vatican allies, including Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, urged him to let his voice be heard, with Paglia calling him a “truly universal” figure. Even Archbishop Georg Gaenswein, a former critic, praised Francis as the “only authority” consistently condemning war.

The 17-night hospitalization, while unprecedented for Francis, pales beside St. John Paul II’s lengthy medical stays. The Vatican defends his private recovery, but the lack of visuals has intensified calls for reassurance. As he battles this latest setback, Francis’ written plea for peace – penned amid personal struggle – underscores his enduring moral weight, even as his physical voice remains stilled. The faithful, and the world, await his recovery.