By rikififi90 
At 88 years old, Pope Francis reaches, this Sunday (March 16), 30 days of hospitalization at Gemelli Hospital in Rome, where he continues treatment for bilateral pneumonia that has affected him since mid-February. During this period, the leader of the Catholic Church, overseeing 1.4 billion faithful worldwide, has faced a health condition described as complex but with encouraging signs of gradual improvement. Today, the Vatican released a new photo of the pontiff concelebrating a Mass in the chapel near his room, accompanied by an update reinforcing the stability of his clinical condition. Despite the frailty imposed by age and a history of respiratory issues, Francis maintains a routine of prayers, rest, and therapies, showcasing resilience amid one of the greatest health challenges of his pontificate.
Admitted since February 14, the Pope was initially diagnosed with bronchitis, but subsequent tests revealed a polymicrobial infection that evolved into pneumonia in both lungs. The condition required intensive care, including antibiotics, corticosteroids, and respiratory support, though recent medical updates indicate he has not experienced acute respiratory crises for weeks. The image released this Sunday, captured during the celebration of the Second Sunday of Lent, reflects a moment of serenity and symbolizes the religious leader’s determination to maintain his spiritual duties despite physical limitations.
Kate Middleton e Príncipe William marcam presença em jogo do Seis Nações de Rugby https://t.co/eONfx4kcqE
— Brazil Urgente (@BrazilUrgente) March 16, 2025
The Vatican reported that Francis spent the day without visitors, dedicating himself to light activities such as reading and pastoral work, while continuing with respiratory and motor physiotherapy. The official statement emphasizes that the pontiff remains “stable” and is responding well to treatments, reassuring the faithful closely following his recovery. His message today, inspired by the Gospel, also carried a tone of hope, linking his personal experience of fragility to that of millions of sick people worldwide.
A month-long journey under intensive medical care
A troubling start at Gemelli Hospital
February 14 marked the beginning of Pope Francis’ fourth hospitalization in less than four years, when he arrived at Gemelli Hospital with respiratory symptoms that alarmed the medical team. What began as a diagnosis of infectious bronchitis quickly worsened, with the identification of a polymicrobial infection in the airways. Within days, a tomography revealed bilateral pneumonia, characterized by inflammation in both lungs, raising the alert level at the Vatican. The condition, aggravated by advanced age and the absence of part of his right lung—removed at age 21 due to severe pneumonia—demanded an immediate response with medication and constant monitoring.
In the first weeks, the situation was described as “complex” by doctors, who noted the combination of bronchiectasis and asthmatic bronchitis as factors complicating treatment. Francis required high-flow oxygen and blood transfusions due to anemia and low platelet counts, sparking concern among the faithful and international media. However, by the second week, updates began bringing more positive news, with the stabilization of hemodynamic parameters and the absence of acute respiratory failure, suggesting the worst was behind him.
Signs of improvement and an adapted routine
After 30 days, Pope Francis is no longer considered a critical patient, though his condition still requires caution. Since late February, he has shown gradual improvements in inflammatory markers, as confirmed by blood tests, and follows an adapted routine in the hospital. This Sunday’s Mass celebration in the chapel near his room exemplifies this: despite limitations, the pontiff keeps his spiritual leadership active, a gesture that reinforces his closeness to the faithful. Respiratory physiotherapy, vital for strengthening his lungs, and motor therapy, to address chronic knee pain, are also part of his daily life at Gemelli.
His clinical stability has allowed Francis to resume some work activities, such as reading texts and preparing pastoral messages, including one sent to the Brazilian people at the start of Lent. The Vatican has canceled all in-person engagements so far, but the Pope continues to connect with the outside world through messages and prayers, like the one shared this Sunday, where he highlighted the importance of loving care in hospital settings.
Timeline of the Pope’s health in 2025
30 days of hospitalization: milestones and challenges
Since entering Gemelli Hospital, Francis’ health has seen ups and downs that defined this 30-day period. Here are the key moments of this journey:
- February 14: Pope admitted with bronchitis and begins antibiotic treatment.
- February 17: Vatican confirms polymicrobial infection and classifies condition as “complex.”
- February 18: Tomography reveals bilateral pneumonia; drug therapy adjusted.
- February 23: After an asthma attack, Francis receives oxygen and blood transfusion; prognosis remains guarded.
- February 27: Medical update reports improvement, critical state ruled out.
- March 10: Health stabilizes, though hospitalization continues without discharge forecast.
- March 16: Pope concelebrates Mass in hospital chapel and maintains routine of prayers and rest.
These events reflect the initial severity of the condition and the slow but steady recovery of the pontiff, who marked 12 years leading the Catholic Church on March 13, already hospitalized.
Respiratory history and vulnerabilities
Francis’ battle with bilateral pneumonia is not an isolated event in his health history. At 21, he faced severe pneumonia that led to the removal of the upper lobe of his right lung, reducing his respiratory capacity ever since. In recent years, issues like infectious bronchitis in March 2023 and lung inflammation in November of the same year had already required hospitalizations and intensive treatments. In 2024, he canceled events due to breathing difficulties, appearing publicly in a wheelchair. Experts note that advanced age and these lingering effects make the Pope more susceptible to respiratory infections, particularly in cases like the current one, involving multiple microorganisms.
Treatment details and future outlook
How bilateral pneumonia is being managed
Currently, Pope Francis’ treatment combines antibiotics to fight the bacteria causing the infection, corticosteroids to reduce lung inflammation, and respiratory physiotherapy to improve oxygenation. Bilateral pneumonia, affecting both lungs, can stem from viruses, bacteria, or fungi, and in the Pope’s case, its polymicrobial origin— involving multiple infectious agents—has made the therapeutic approach more challenging. The Gemelli medical team, renowned for treating popes for decades, closely monitors inflammatory markers and the body’s response to medications, adjusting the protocol as needed.
Though no discharge date has been set, the absence of recent respiratory crises and the consolidation of improvements suggest the Pope is in a safer recovery phase. Motor physiotherapy, meanwhile, aims to mitigate the effects of prolonged immobility, as Francis also deals with chronic knee and hip pain worsened by extended rest. This combination of care reflects efforts to ensure the pontiff resumes his duties with minimal long-term impact.
Impacts on the Jubilee and the Catholic Church
Marking 30 days of hospitalization, Francis’ health raises questions about his participation in the 2025 Jubilee, one of the Catholic calendar’s most significant events, expected to draw millions of pilgrims to Rome. Known for his intense schedule and international trips, like the one to Asia in 2024, the Pope now faces a forced pause. His absence from public celebrations, such as the Sunday Angelus and Masses in St. Peter’s Square, has been felt by the faithful, who have left flowers, candles, and messages of support at the hospital entrance. While the Vatican keeps the Church’s operations running, the pontiff’s full recovery is seen as crucial for his leadership in such a pivotal year.
This Sunday’s message, where Francis spoke of the light shining in hospitals and the strength of faith in times of trial, resonated as a reflection of his own experience. Even in frailty, he remains an inspiring figure for Catholics, spiritually uniting with the sick and emphasizing the value of human care amid adversity.
At 88 years old, Pope Francis reaches, this Sunday (March 16), 30 days of hospitalization at Gemelli Hospital in Rome, where he continues treatment for bilateral pneumonia that has affected him since mid-February. During this period, the leader of the Catholic Church, overseeing 1.4 billion faithful worldwide, has faced a health condition described as complex but with encouraging signs of gradual improvement. Today, the Vatican released a new photo of the pontiff concelebrating a Mass in the chapel near his room, accompanied by an update reinforcing the stability of his clinical condition. Despite the frailty imposed by age and a history of respiratory issues, Francis maintains a routine of prayers, rest, and therapies, showcasing resilience amid one of the greatest health challenges of his pontificate.
Admitted since February 14, the Pope was initially diagnosed with bronchitis, but subsequent tests revealed a polymicrobial infection that evolved into pneumonia in both lungs. The condition required intensive care, including antibiotics, corticosteroids, and respiratory support, though recent medical updates indicate he has not experienced acute respiratory crises for weeks. The image released this Sunday, captured during the celebration of the Second Sunday of Lent, reflects a moment of serenity and symbolizes the religious leader’s determination to maintain his spiritual duties despite physical limitations.
Kate Middleton e Príncipe William marcam presença em jogo do Seis Nações de Rugby https://t.co/eONfx4kcqE
— Brazil Urgente (@BrazilUrgente) March 16, 2025
The Vatican reported that Francis spent the day without visitors, dedicating himself to light activities such as reading and pastoral work, while continuing with respiratory and motor physiotherapy. The official statement emphasizes that the pontiff remains “stable” and is responding well to treatments, reassuring the faithful closely following his recovery. His message today, inspired by the Gospel, also carried a tone of hope, linking his personal experience of fragility to that of millions of sick people worldwide.
A month-long journey under intensive medical care
A troubling start at Gemelli Hospital
February 14 marked the beginning of Pope Francis’ fourth hospitalization in less than four years, when he arrived at Gemelli Hospital with respiratory symptoms that alarmed the medical team. What began as a diagnosis of infectious bronchitis quickly worsened, with the identification of a polymicrobial infection in the airways. Within days, a tomography revealed bilateral pneumonia, characterized by inflammation in both lungs, raising the alert level at the Vatican. The condition, aggravated by advanced age and the absence of part of his right lung—removed at age 21 due to severe pneumonia—demanded an immediate response with medication and constant monitoring.
In the first weeks, the situation was described as “complex” by doctors, who noted the combination of bronchiectasis and asthmatic bronchitis as factors complicating treatment. Francis required high-flow oxygen and blood transfusions due to anemia and low platelet counts, sparking concern among the faithful and international media. However, by the second week, updates began bringing more positive news, with the stabilization of hemodynamic parameters and the absence of acute respiratory failure, suggesting the worst was behind him.
Signs of improvement and an adapted routine
After 30 days, Pope Francis is no longer considered a critical patient, though his condition still requires caution. Since late February, he has shown gradual improvements in inflammatory markers, as confirmed by blood tests, and follows an adapted routine in the hospital. This Sunday’s Mass celebration in the chapel near his room exemplifies this: despite limitations, the pontiff keeps his spiritual leadership active, a gesture that reinforces his closeness to the faithful. Respiratory physiotherapy, vital for strengthening his lungs, and motor therapy, to address chronic knee pain, are also part of his daily life at Gemelli.
His clinical stability has allowed Francis to resume some work activities, such as reading texts and preparing pastoral messages, including one sent to the Brazilian people at the start of Lent. The Vatican has canceled all in-person engagements so far, but the Pope continues to connect with the outside world through messages and prayers, like the one shared this Sunday, where he highlighted the importance of loving care in hospital settings.
Timeline of the Pope’s health in 2025
30 days of hospitalization: milestones and challenges
Since entering Gemelli Hospital, Francis’ health has seen ups and downs that defined this 30-day period. Here are the key moments of this journey:
- February 14: Pope admitted with bronchitis and begins antibiotic treatment.
- February 17: Vatican confirms polymicrobial infection and classifies condition as “complex.”
- February 18: Tomography reveals bilateral pneumonia; drug therapy adjusted.
- February 23: After an asthma attack, Francis receives oxygen and blood transfusion; prognosis remains guarded.
- February 27: Medical update reports improvement, critical state ruled out.
- March 10: Health stabilizes, though hospitalization continues without discharge forecast.
- March 16: Pope concelebrates Mass in hospital chapel and maintains routine of prayers and rest.
These events reflect the initial severity of the condition and the slow but steady recovery of the pontiff, who marked 12 years leading the Catholic Church on March 13, already hospitalized.
Respiratory history and vulnerabilities
Francis’ battle with bilateral pneumonia is not an isolated event in his health history. At 21, he faced severe pneumonia that led to the removal of the upper lobe of his right lung, reducing his respiratory capacity ever since. In recent years, issues like infectious bronchitis in March 2023 and lung inflammation in November of the same year had already required hospitalizations and intensive treatments. In 2024, he canceled events due to breathing difficulties, appearing publicly in a wheelchair. Experts note that advanced age and these lingering effects make the Pope more susceptible to respiratory infections, particularly in cases like the current one, involving multiple microorganisms.
Treatment details and future outlook
How bilateral pneumonia is being managed
Currently, Pope Francis’ treatment combines antibiotics to fight the bacteria causing the infection, corticosteroids to reduce lung inflammation, and respiratory physiotherapy to improve oxygenation. Bilateral pneumonia, affecting both lungs, can stem from viruses, bacteria, or fungi, and in the Pope’s case, its polymicrobial origin— involving multiple infectious agents—has made the therapeutic approach more challenging. The Gemelli medical team, renowned for treating popes for decades, closely monitors inflammatory markers and the body’s response to medications, adjusting the protocol as needed.
Though no discharge date has been set, the absence of recent respiratory crises and the consolidation of improvements suggest the Pope is in a safer recovery phase. Motor physiotherapy, meanwhile, aims to mitigate the effects of prolonged immobility, as Francis also deals with chronic knee and hip pain worsened by extended rest. This combination of care reflects efforts to ensure the pontiff resumes his duties with minimal long-term impact.
Impacts on the Jubilee and the Catholic Church
Marking 30 days of hospitalization, Francis’ health raises questions about his participation in the 2025 Jubilee, one of the Catholic calendar’s most significant events, expected to draw millions of pilgrims to Rome. Known for his intense schedule and international trips, like the one to Asia in 2024, the Pope now faces a forced pause. His absence from public celebrations, such as the Sunday Angelus and Masses in St. Peter’s Square, has been felt by the faithful, who have left flowers, candles, and messages of support at the hospital entrance. While the Vatican keeps the Church’s operations running, the pontiff’s full recovery is seen as crucial for his leadership in such a pivotal year.
This Sunday’s message, where Francis spoke of the light shining in hospitals and the strength of faith in times of trial, resonated as a reflection of his own experience. Even in frailty, he remains an inspiring figure for Catholics, spiritually uniting with the sick and emphasizing the value of human care amid adversity.
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