Pope Francis, the 88-year-old leader of the Roman Catholic Church, is currently hospitalised at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, grappling with a serious respiratory condition - double pneumonia. The pontiff was admitted on Friday, February 14, following persistent symptoms of bronchitis that had been troubling him for weeks. What began as a manageable illness has since escalated into a more complex health challenge, raising concern among the faithful worldwide.
Newspapers and TV channels from across the world have said different things about his health condition. Some say the pope is not yet out of danger, some say the disease is not life threatening, while some even say the Vatican is on edge and the Swiss guard has started to rehearse his funeral.
However, doctors attending to the pope said Pope Francis was able to breathe on his own, while confirming for the first time that he was occasionally being provided oxygen via a tube under his nose.
Dr. Luigi Carbone, who was the pope's general practitioner at the Vatican, says Pope Francis would stay at the hospital as long as necessary. "As mentioned earlier, he is not out of danger, so like all fragile patients, it is always a delicate balance," he said.
"It would take very little for his condition to become unstable," said the doctor. "It is difficult to give a precise timeline at this moment."
A chronology of his health issues
The Vatican initially reported that Pope Francis was undergoing treatment for bronchitis, a condition he has faced intermittently in recent years. However, updates over the past week have painted a more serious picture. On Tuesday, February 18, a chest CT scan revealed that the infection had progressed into bilateral pneumonia — affecting both lungs — compounded by a polymicrobial respiratory infection. This diagnosis reflects a "complex clinical situation", as described by the Vatican, with underlying factors such as bronchiectasis and asthmatic bronchitis complicating his treatment. Despite the severity, the Vatican has emphasised that the Pope remains in good spirits, alternating between rest, prayer, and light work.
Pope Francis’ hospitalisation has disrupted his typically busy schedule. Before his admission, he held meetings at the Vatican, including one with CNN’s Chief Executive Mark Thompson, though he struggled to speak due to breathlessness. Since arriving at Gemelli Hospital, his condition has shown signs of stabilisation. By Wednesday, February 19, the Vatican noted a "slight improvement" in his blood tests, particularly in inflammatory markers, and he was able to sit up in an armchair, eat breakfast, and engage with his secretaries. He has been breathing on his own, without the aid of a respirator, and has expressed gratitude for the care provided by the hospital staff, whom he praised in a written Angelus prayer on Sunday.
This health scare is the latest in a series of medical challenges for the Argentine pontiff, who has led the Church since 2013. In recent months alone, he suffered two falls — one in December 2024, bruising his face, and another in January 2025, resulting in a contusion on his right forearm that required a sling. These incidents, combined with chronic conditions such as diverticulitis (for which he underwent surgery in 2021) and a history of having part of one lung removed in his youth, underscore the physical toll of his advanced age and demanding role. His mobility has also been limited, often requiring a wheelchair due to knee issues and sciatica.
Despite these setbacks, Pope Francis has remained resolute. In his recently released memoir Hope, published in January 2025, he downplayed his health struggles, writing, "The reality is, quite simply, that I am old," while affirming he has no plans to resign. His determination was evident even amid this hospitalisation, as he continued to receive the Eucharist daily and kept up with some work duties, supported by his closest collaborators.
The global Catholic community has rallied around him, with prayers and messages of support pouring in. In Argentina, the Archdiocese of Buenos Aires held a Mass for his recovery, while worshippers outside the Vatican have voiced hopes for his swift return to St. Peter’s.
Doctors have prescribed complete rest, antibiotics, and corticosteroids, and in an early morning update today - the shortest since he was admitted - the Vatican said 'Pope Francis rested well'. No clear timeline for his discharge has been provided. The Vatican continues to monitor his progress closely, promising further updates as his treatment evolves.
For now, Pope Francis’ resilience shines through, a testament to his enduring spirit as he navigates this latest chapter of frailty with faith and fortitude.