Pope Francis continues to receive medical treatment at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital after being admitted on February 14 with respiratory issues, including pneumonia and chronic bronchitis. His medical team recently provided an update on his condition, noting that while the Pope’s health is improving, he is still not out of danger.
During a press conference on February 21, his doctors confirmed that Pope Francis’ condition is not life-threatening, but they cautioned that “his condition can change day by day.” Dr. Sergio Alfieri, the Pope’s physician, clarified the situation, stating, “Is he out of danger? No. But if the question is ‘is he in danger of death,’ the answer is ‘no'” (The Independent, 2025). The 88-year-old pontiff’s recovery is progressing, though, and the Vatican reported a “slight improvement” in his overall condition, particularly regarding his heart function.
LIGHT A PRAYER CANDLE FOR POPE FRANCIS
The Pope’s respiratory infection, which involves both bacteria and viruses, has been complicated by double pneumonia. Despite the ongoing treatment, his doctors have indicated that it could take up to two weeks for his recovery. “It will still take some time to understand if the various drug therapies are working,” said Alfieri, acknowledging the fragility of the Pope’s health, given his age and medical history (The Independent, 2025).
The Vatican has announced that Pope Francis will remain in the hospital “at least all next week” (The Independent, 2025). However, the Pope’s spirits remain high, and he even managed to get out of bed to have breakfast on the one-week mark of his hospitalization. “The night went well, this morning Pope Francis got up and had breakfast,” Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni reported in a brief update (The Independent, 2025).
While the Pope’s medical team continues to monitor his condition, attention has turned to the potential impact of his illness on his papacy. Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi suggested that if the Pope’s ability to communicate directly with people is compromised, he might consider resignation. “There is no question that if he (Francis) was in a situation where his ability to have direct contact (with people) as he likes to do… was compromised, then I think he might decide to resign,” Ravasi remarked, highlighting the delicate balance Pope Francis faces between his health and papal duties (The Independent, 2025).
Though some have speculated about a possible resignation, Pope Francis himself has previously stated that he would consider stepping down if his health prevented him from performing his duties, a precedent set by Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation in 2013. However, the Vatican has not indicated that Pope Francis is considering such a step at this time.
As the world prays for the Pope’s swift recovery, Catholics around the globe, especially in the Philippines—where Pope Francis has a special place in the hearts of the faithful—are uniting in prayer. Archbishop Charles John Brown, the Vatican’s ambassador to Manila, encouraged Filipinos to continue praying, remarking, “The Philippines has a place very close to his heart” (The Independent, 2025).
With the faithful’s prayers and continued medical care, Pope Francis remains under close observation. While his health challenges are significant, his resilience and commitment to his role as leader of the Church remain steadfast. As his recovery progresses, Catholics worldwide continue to lift him up in prayer, seeking God’s grace for his healing.
