Pope Francis marks 3 weeks in hospital with stable condition, Vatican says

Pope Francis, leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics, completed three weeks of hospitalization at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Saturday, March 8, 2025, battling bilateral pneumonia that has kept the Vatican and faithful on edge since February 14. At 88 years old, the pontiff enjoyed another restful night and continues to recover, according to a Vatican statement released in the early hours, Brasília time, describing his clinical condition as “stable within a complex framework.” Admitted initially for bronchitis that progressed into a severe respiratory infection, Francis relies on high-flow oxygen therapy via nasal cannulas during the day and noninvasive mechanical ventilation at night, complemented by respiratory physiotherapy to strengthen his lungs. On Friday, March 7, he briefly left his room for a 20-minute prayer session in a nearby chapel and engaged in light work, showcasing resilience despite his fragile state. The Vatican, breaking with historical precedent by issuing detailed daily medical updates, announced a new bulletin will be released later today, though his prognosis remains cautious due to the treatment’s complexity.

The hospitalization, the longest since his papacy began in 2013, started after respiratory difficulties worsened rapidly, leading to a bilateral pneumonia diagnosis. In 2024, Francis faced health challenges, including colon surgery in 2021 and sciatic pain requiring a wheelchair since 2022, but this respiratory crisis is deemed his most severe yet. On Thursday, March 6, the Vatican released a rare audio message from the pontiff, his voice frail and breathless, thanking the faithful gathered daily at St. Peter’s Square: “I thank you from the bottom of my heart for the prayers for my health. I follow them from here.” Recorded at Gemelli Hospital, the message underscores his effort to stay spiritually connected with the Catholic community amid intensive care.

Recent stability, with no fever or respiratory crises since Monday, March 3, brought relief after a turbulent period marked by two acute respiratory failure episodes and bronchospasms. Despite this, caution prevails, with therapies adjusted daily for a patient with a history of lung issues—Francis had part of his right lung removed at 21 due to a severe infection. As the world tracks his recovery, nightly vigils at St. Peter’s Square and special masses at the hospital reflect global solidarity with the first Latin American pope.

Intensive care at Gemelli Hospital

Francis is under a multidisciplinary treatment regimen at Gemelli Hospital, one of Italy’s largest Catholic medical centers, boasting over 1,500 beds. His care includes high-flow oxygen therapy through nasal cannulas during the day and noninvasive mechanical ventilation at night via a mask, avoiding intubation. Respiratory physiotherapy, ramped up in recent days, aims to boost lung capacity and prevent complications like mucus buildup, which triggered crises such as the bronchospasm and vomiting episode on February 28.

On Friday, March 7, the Vatican noted that the pontiff remained alert and cooperative, eating independently and spending part of the day in prayer and light tasks, like reading and making calls. Stable blood tests and no fever since early in the week signal a positive response to treatment, though the bilateral pneumonia, worsened by pre-existing conditions like bronchiectasis and asthmatic bronchitis, demands ongoing vigilance.

Pope’s health history

Pope Francis has faced significant medical challenges throughout his life, intensifying in recent years. At 21, in Argentina, he underwent surgery to remove the upper lobe of his right lung due to a severe pneumonia with three cysts, permanently reducing his respiratory capacity. In 2021, he had colon surgery for diverticulitis, spending ten days in hospital, and since 2022, he has used a wheelchair due to sciatic pain and knee issues. Despite these setbacks, he maintained a rigorous schedule, including international trips and preparations for the 2025 Jubilee.

The current hospitalization began on February 14 with bronchitis symptoms that escalated into a polymicrobial infection, confirmed as bilateral pneumonia by February 18. The condition fluctuated, with critical episodes on February 22 and 28 requiring blood transfusions and intensive oxygen support. A slight improvement since late February, including recovery from a detected renal insufficiency, offers hope, though the intricate nature of his case keeps doctors reserved.

Critical moments and signs of recovery

Francis’s treatment hit several rough patches over the past three weeks. On February 22, a prolonged asthmatic crisis pushed his condition to critical, necessitating high-flow oxygen and transfusions for anemia and low platelet count. On February 28, another bronchospasm with vomiting worsened matters, but swift interventions like bronchial aspiration and ventilation stabilized his breathing. Since Monday, March 3, when he endured two acute respiratory failure episodes, no further incidents occurred, allowing a pause in daily bulletins until Saturday, March 8.

The lack of fever and his active participation in respiratory and motor physiotherapy are encouraging. On Thursday, March 6, he intensified therapy sessions, spent the day in an armchair, and made calls, including one to Father Gabriel Romanelli of the Holy Family in Gaza, preserving his spiritual routine. This stability hints at progress, though the reserved prognosis reflects uncertainty about his full recovery timeline.

Timeline of Pope Francis’s hospitalization

The pontiff’s hospital stay has unfolded over key events since February 14. Here’s the chronology:

• February 14: Admitted to Gemelli Hospital for bronchitis.
• February 18: Bilateral pneumonia diagnosis confirmed.
• February 22: Asthmatic crisis requires transfusions and intensive oxygen therapy.
• February 28: Bronchospasm with vomiting treated with ventilation.
• March 3: Two acute respiratory failure episodes, no fever since.
• March 6: Audio message released thanking the faithful.
• March 8: Medical bulletin confirms stability, no recent crises.

A new update is expected today, March 8, detailing his condition after three weeks of intensive care.

Faithful and Vatican response

Francis’s health has galvanized the global Catholic community. At St. Peter’s Square, hundreds gather nightly for vigils since his admission, with prayers led by cardinals like Pietro Parolin and Claudio Gugerotti. At Gemelli, the John Paul II Chapel has become a pilgrimage site, adorned with flowers, candles, and drawings, even under rain. In 2024, about 1.2 million pilgrims visited the Vatican, and his prolonged absence has heightened this support.

Within the Vatican, operations have shifted. Events like the Sunday Mass at St. Peter’s Square and Wednesday general audience are suspended, reflecting the situation’s gravity, while papal departments function on a reduced scale. The unprecedented transparency in medical bulletins, ordered by Francis himself, departs from the historical reticence seen with popes like John Paul II, whose Parkinson’s was only confirmed in 2003, aiming to curb misinformation in the digital age.

Notable facts about his health crisis

Francis’s hospitalization reveals unique aspects of his care and past:

• He’s the first pope to release an audio message during a hospital stay, on March 6.
• This bilateral pneumonia is his gravest health issue since his lung surgery at 21.
• Despite frailty, he continued prayer and light work from the hospital.

These elements underscore his resolve and the Vatican’s openness during this ordeal.