Pope Francis, 88, remains hospitalized at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital as he recovers from bilateral pneumonia. The Holy Father was admitted on February 14 with breathing difficulties, and while his condition has been serious, recent updates from the Vatican indicate that he is stable and responding to treatment.
According to the Holy See Press Office, “The night passed quietly; the Pope is still resting.” The Vatican also confirmed that the Pope continues to receive “high-flow oxygen therapy in the morning using nasal cannulas,” following non-invasive mechanical ventilation at night. While his prognosis remains guarded, doctors have reported no new respiratory crises in the past two days.
Despite his illness, Pope Francis has remained engaged in some work activities. On Thursday, he appointed new bishops, naming Bishop Ángel Francisco Caraballo Fermín as Archbishop of Cumaná, Venezuela, and Bishop Ángel Román Idígoras as Bishop of Albacete, Spain. The Vatican also noted that the Pope has increased his respiratory and motor physiotherapy and is actively cooperating with his prescribed treatments.
As Catholics worldwide marked the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday, Pope Francis was notably absent from the Vatican’s traditional celebrations. However, he participated in a private blessing of the Sacred Ashes within his hospital suite, receiving the Eucharist and spending time in prayer. The Holy See reported that “The Holy Father remained stable today as well, without any episodes of respiratory insufficiency.”
Faithful Catholics have gathered in Rome to pray for the Pope’s recovery. A group of well-wishers outside Gemelli Hospital held a banner reading, “Cercola is praying for you. Come on, get up and walk,” a reference to the biblical story of Lazarus. One devoted supporter, Carmela Vittoria Mancuso, 79, has been making a daily pilgrimage between the hospital and St. Peter’s Square, offering prayers and yellow roses, which symbolize the Vatican flag. She described her vigil as “a continuous pilgrimage,” recalling that she was deeply moved upon hearing of the Pope’s recent health struggles.
With Pope Francis still resting, the Vatican has appointed Cardinal Michael Czerny to stand in for him at the first Sunday of Lent Mass, which is part of the Jubilee 2025 celebrations dedicated to volunteers. The Holy See stated that this event “takes on an even deeper meaning” given the prayers and concern for the Holy Father’s recovery.
Pope Francis’ health challenges have drawn concern from Catholics around the world. Having previously had part of one lung removed as a young man due to illness, he has faced chronic lung issues throughout his pontificate. While his current condition remains serious, the Vatican remains hopeful about his recovery, noting that his pneumonia is “following the normal evolution of a condition of this type under treatment.”
As Lent begins, the faithful continue to pray for Pope Francis, entrusting him to the intercession of Our Lady of Lourdes and the saints. In the words of Mancuso, who has remained steadfast in her prayers, “I have been on a continuous pilgrimage.”
