FROM THE VATICAN: Latest update on the health of Pope Francis
SUNDAY MORNING:
The Holy See Press Office has reported that, “overnight was quiet and the Pope is resting.” The message came on Sunday morning, 9 March, regarding Pope Francis who has been receiving care at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital since 14 February.
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SATURDAY EVENING:
Saturday evening’s health update from the Holy See Press Office noted that “the Holy Father’s clinical condition over the last few days has remained stable and, consequently, shows a good response to the therapies. There is therefore a gradual, mild improvement.” The statement also mentioned that the Pope has not had a fever, respiratory gas exchange has improved, and results from blood work are stable. At the same time, “the doctors prudently maintain that the prognosis is still guarded” as they will continue to monitor these initial improvements over the coming days.
On Sunday morning in Saint Peter’s Square, Cardinal Michael Czerny will read the Pope’s homily prepared for the Mass for the Jubilee of the World of Volunteers being celebrated, while the Pope’s midday Angelus address will be distributed as on previous Sundays.
During the afternoon, the Pope will follow the spiritual exercises that will begin in the Paul VI Hall in the Vatican to be in spiritual communion with the Roman Curia.
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FRIDAY MORNING:
“I thank you with all my heart for the prayers you offer for my health from [St. Peter’s] Square. I accompany you from here. May God bless you, and may the Virgin protect you. Thank you.”
Pope Francis’ message of thanks, recorded in Spanish, for the many testimonies of love and closeness that he has received since being admitted to hospital on 14 February, was broadcast in St. Peter’s Square at 9 pm Rome at the beginning of the Rosary prayer, led on Friday evening by Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, Pro-prefect of the Dicastery for the Institutes of Consecrated Life and the Societies of Apostolic Life.
Starting on Monday, 24 February, thousands of believers have joined the Cardinals residing in Rome, along with all collaborators of the Roman Curia and the Diocese of Rome, in St. Peter‘s Square to recite the Holy Rosary for the health of Pope Francis, who is being treated for pneumonia in the Gemelli Hospital.
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THURSDAY MORNING:
“The night passed quietly; the Pope is still resting,” the Holy See Press Office informed journalists on Thursday morning.
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WEDNESDAY EVENING:
On Wednesday evening, the Press Office released the following statement providing the daily medical update on Pope Francis’ health.
“The Holy Father remained stable today as well, without any episodes of respiratory insufficiency.
“As planned, he utilized supplemental, high-flow oxygenation, and non-invasive mechanical ventilation will be resumed tonight.
“The Holy Father increased his respiratory and active motor physiotherapy. He spent the day in his armchair.
“Given the complexity of the clinical situation, the prognosis remains guarded.
“This morning, in the private apartment located on the 10th floor, the Holy Father participated in the rite of the blessing of the Sacred Ashes, which were imposed on him by the celebrant. He then received the Eucharist.
“Afterwards, he engaged in several work activities. During the morning, he also called Father Gabriel Romanelli, the parish priest of the Holy Family Church in Gaza.
“In the afternoon, he alternated between rest and work.”
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TUESDAY MORNING:
“The Pope slept through the night and now continues to rest,” said the Holy See Press Office on Tuesday morning.
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MONDAY EVENING:
On Monday evening, the Holy See Press Office released the following update on Pope Francis’ health:
“Today, the Holy Father suffered two episodes of acute respiratory insufficiency, caused by a significant accumulation of endobronchial mucus and consequent bronchospasm.
“Two bronchoscopies were therefore performed, with the need to remove large secretions.
“In the afternoon, non-invasive mechanical ventilation was resumed. The Holy Father remained alert, oriented and cooperative at all times.
“The prognosis remains guarded.”
The Pope’s blood test values are unchanged, and suggest that he does not have leukocytosis (a high white blood cell count). This in turn suggests that there is no new infection, and the accumulation of mucus is merely the consequence of the Pope’s pre-existing pneumonia.
The cause of the two attacks today was the reaction of the bronchi, which attempted to expel the accumulated mucus in order to eliminate the bacteria. The Pope’s clinical condition therefore remains complex, and further crises such as those that occurred this afternoon are possible.
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MONDAY MORNING:
Pope Francis slept well throughout the night, the Holy See Press Office said on Monday morning.
The latest update follows a Sunday evening statement that indicated the Pope’s condition has remained stable.
The Press Office gave further details, noting that the Pope has not required “non-invasive mechanical ventilation,” as he had used in recent days, but was still receiving supplemental, high-flow oxygenation.
It noted, too, that the Holy Father continues to be afebrile; that is, he does not have a fever.
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SUNDAY MORNING:
On Sunday morning the Holy See Press Office reported that, “the Pope is still resting following a peaceful night.”
Yesterday evening the Press Office informed journalists that the Pope’s medical condition remained stable with respiratory physiotherapy alternating between non-invasive mechanical ventilation and long periods of supplemental high-flow oxygenation with a good response to gas exchange. It added that the prognosis still remains guarded.
The statement yesterday evening also noted that the Pope does not have a fever or show signs of leukocytosis (high white blood cell count). It added that the Pope remains alert, oriented and in good humour.
SATURDAY MORNING:
The Holy See Press Office said on Saturday morning that Pope Francis slept well and spent the first part of the morning resting.
“After a quiet night, the Pope is resting”, read the brief Holy See Press Office statement.
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FRIDAY EVENING:
The Holy Father, this afternoon, after a morning spent alternating between respiratory physiotherapy and prayer in the chapel, experienced an isolated episode of bronchospasm. This caused an episode of vomiting, which led to him inhaling some and a sudden worsening of his respiratory condition.
The Holy Father was promptly subjected to bronchial aspiration (to clear his airways) and was put on non-invasive mechanical ventilation, which improved his oxygen levels.
He has remained alert and aware at all times, cooperating with therapeutic treatments.
The prognosis, therefore, remains guarded.
In the morning, he received the Eucharist.
This statement, provided by the Holy See Press Office on Friday evening, came as the Pope continues to be treated for bilateral pneumonia in Rome’s Gemelli Hospital. He was admitted on Friday, 14 February, following an infection of the respiratory tract.
About 24 to 48 hours will be needed to be able to assess the Pope’s clinical condition following the isolated bronchospasm episode.
Thanks to non-invasive mechanical ventilation, gas exchange values are reported to have returned to levels similar to those before the episode.
THURSDAY MORNING:
The Holy See Press Office said on Thursday morning that Pope Francis slept well and spent the first part of the morning resting.
“The Pope slept well during the night and is now resting,” read a brief statement.
After breakfast, the Holy Father continued his treatment while setting in his armchair. He has been informed of the many initiatives to pray for him, and he remains in good spirits.
The Jubilee Audience scheduled for Saturday, March 1, has been cancelled.
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WEDNESDAY MORNING:
“The Pope had a quiet night and is resting,” the Holy See Press Office informed journalists with a statement on Wednesday morning.
Upon awaking, the Pope sat in his armchair, where he continued his therapy. He is undergoing the same oxygen therapy as the last few days. This evening’s medical update may include the results of the pulmonary CT scan carried out on Tuesday.
The Tuesday evening update on Pope Francis’ health noted that Pope Francis’ “clinical condition remains critical but stable. There have been no acute respiratory episodes, and hemodynamic parameters continue to be stable.”
“In the evening, he underwent a scheduled CT scan to radiologically monitor the bilateral pneumonia. The prognosis remains guarded,” continued Tuesday evening’s statement. “In the morning, after receiving the Eucharist, he resumed work activities.”
Twice-daily statements have kept the faithful informed about the Pope’s health since he was admitted to the Agostino Gemelli Hospital in Rome on Friday, 14 February, following a bout of bronchitis.
He is currently being treated for double pneumonia and a health update last week noted that he is also showing signs of mild renal insufficiency, which appears to be under control.
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TUESDAY EVENING:
“The Holy Father’s clinical condition remains critical but stable. There have been no acute respiratory episodes, and hemodynamic parameters continue to be stable.
In the evening, he underwent a scheduled CT scan to radiologically monitor the bilateral pneumonia. The prognosis remains cautious.
In the morning, after receiving the Eucharist, he resumed work activities.”
This Tuesday evening update on Pope Francis’ health was published by the Holy See Press Office on 25 February 2025.
Twice-daily statements have kept the faithful informed as regards the Pope’s health since he was admitted to the Agostino Gemelli Hospital in Rome on Friday, 14 February following a bout of bronchitis.
He is currently being treated for double pneumonia and a health update last week noted that he is also showing signs of mild renal insufficiency, which appears to be under control.
A statement Monday evening noted that, despite the severity of the Pope’s condition, he has shown slight improvement. “No episodes of asthma-like respiratory distress occurred [Monday], and some laboratory tests have shown improvement. The monitoring of his mild kidney insufficiency has not raised any concerns. Oxygen therapy continues, although with slightly reduced flow and oxygen levels.”
The statement said doctors are maintaining a “cautious” prognosis “given the complexity of the clinical picture.”
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TUESDAY LUNCHTIME:
“Pope Francis rested well throughout the night,” according to the latest update from the Holy See Press Office.
After the restful evening, the Holy Father got up and continued his daily therapy. His condition is similar to yesterday, and there will be another medical statement later this evening. There were no other respiratory crises, like that of Saturday morning.
On Monday, the Pope met at the hospital with the Vatican’s Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and Substitute for General Affairs of the Secretariat of State, Archbishop Peña Parra, to sign several decrees related to causes for sainthood that were promulgated on Tuesday.
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MONDAY EVENING:
On Monday evening, the Holy See Press Office provided the following update on Pope Francis’ health:
The Holy Father’s clinical condition, despite its severity, has shown a slight improvement.
No episodes of asthma-like respiratory distress occurred today, and some laboratory tests have shown improvement. The monitoring of his mild kidney insufficiency has not raised any concerns. Oxygen therapy continues, although with slightly reduced flow and oxygen levels.
Given the complexity of the clinical picture, the doctors are prudently maintaining their cautious prognosis.
In the morning, the Pope received the Eucharist, while in the afternoon, he resumed his work.
In the evening, he called the parish priest of Gaza to express his paternal closeness.
Pope Francis thanks the entire People of God, who in these days have gathered to pray for his health.
It has been reported that the Holy Family parish in Gaza had sent a video, and the Pope called to thank them.
It has also been confirmed that the news spread by a French outlet about an apartment that Rome’s Isola Tiberina – Gemelli Isola Hospital reportedly made available to Pope Francis for a supposed transfer is false. In reality, it is an apartment for private patients.
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MONDAY MORNING:
Pope Francis had a restful tenth night in the hospital, according to a statement published on Monday morning by the Holy See Press Office.
“The night went well; the Pope slept and is resting,” read the statement.
Vatican sources said the Pope was in good humour and eating normally – a slightly more upbeat message than they’d been giving over the weekend, following his sudden breathing difficulties on Saturday.
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SUNDAY EVENING:
The Holy See Press Office provided the following medical update on Pope Francis on Sunday evening:
The condition of the Holy Father remains critical, but since yesterday evening, he has not experienced any further respiratory crises.
He received two units of concentrated red blood cells with beneficial effects, and his hemoglobin levels have risen.
The thrombocytopenia remains stable; however, some blood tests show early, mild renal insufficiency, which is currently under control.
High-flow oxygen therapy continues through nasal cannulas.
The Holy Father remains alert and well-oriented.
The complexity of the clinical situation and the necessary time for the pharmacological treatments to show results require that the prognosis remain guarded.
This morning, in the apartment on the tenth floor, he participated in the Holy Mass, together with those who have been taking care of him during these days of hospitalization.
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SUNDAY MORNING:
Pope Francis had a peaceful ninth night in the hospital, the Holy See Press Office published on Sunday morning, issuing its latest note to journalists as the Holy Father is being treated for double pneumonia at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital.
Again this morning, the Pope used nasal cannulas for the administration of high-flow oxygen. Other clinical exams are underway. The medical bulletin this evening will shed light on the results.
Saturday night, the Press Office issued the following evening health update on the Holy Father:
The condition of the Holy Father continues to be critical. Therefore, as explained yesterday, the Pope is not out of danger. This morning, Pope Francis experienced an asthma-like respiratory crisis of prolonged intensity, which required the administration of high-flow oxygen.
Today’s blood tests also revealed thrombocytopenia, associated with anemia, which required the administration of blood transfusions.
The Holy Father remains alert and spent the day in an armchair, although he is more fatigued than yesterday. At the moment, the prognosis remains guarded.
At a press conference in Rome’s Gemelli hospital on late Friday afternoon, Dr Sergio Alfieri, the head of the team taking care of the Pope, and Dr Luigi Carbone, the Vice-Director of the Vatican’s healthcare service, spoke for some 40 minutes to a roomful of journalists.
The pair said that they believed the Pope would be hospitalised for “at least” the entirety of the next week, and that Pope Francis is not “in danger of death,” but he’s also not fully “out of danger.”
Dr Alfieri emphasised that the Pope is not attached to a ventilator, although he is still struggling with his breathing and consequently keeping his physical movements limited.
Nevertheless, the physician said, the Pope is sitting upright in a chair, working, and joking as usual. Alfieri said that when one of the doctors greeted the Pope by saying “Hello, Holy Father”, he replied with “Hello, Holy Son”.
Asked by a journalist what their greatest fear is, the doctors noted that there is a risk that germs in the Pope’s respiratory tract might enter his bloodstream, causing sepsis.
Dr Alfieri did say, however, that he was confident that Pope Francis would leave the hospital at some point and return to Casa Santa Marta in the Vatican – with the proviso that when he does so, his chronic respiratory issues will remain.
The pontiff was unable to deliver the traditional Angelus prayer in person today for the second Sunday running.
But in a message written over the last few days, he said he was “confidently continuing” his hospitalisation at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital and “carrying on with the necessary treatment”.
In his message, released this morning, the Pope thanked the doctors and health workers at the hospital, and well-wishers who sent in messages.
“In recent days I have received many messages of affection, and I have been particularly struck by the letters and drawings from children,” he wrote.
“Thank you for this closeness, and for the prayers of comfort I have received from all over the world! I entrust you all to the intercession of Mary, and I ask you to pray for me.”
On his X feed this morning Pope Francis also added: “I have recently received many messages of affection, and I have been particularly struck by the letters and drawings from children. Thank you for your closeness, and for the consoling prayers I have received from all over the world!”|
