Pope Francis spent a peaceful night at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, where he has been receiving treatment for pneumonia since February 14. The Vatican reported on Sunday that the 88-year-old pontiff is resting well, with his condition showing gradual improvement.
Despite suffering multiple respiratory crises earlier in his hospitalization, the Vatican confirmed that Francis has not had any recent incidents. His health remains stable, and doctors are closely monitoring his progress. While he does not have a fever, his medical team is cautious, emphasizing that they need to observe continued positive signs before making a prognosis.
“The night was calm, the pope is resting,” the Vatican’s morning update stated, offering reassurance to Catholics around the world who have been praying for his recovery.
This latest health scare marks Pope Francis’ most prolonged and serious hospitalization since he assumed the papacy in 2013. Over the years, he has faced multiple health challenges, including colon surgery in 2021 and a hernia operation in 2023.
Despite these ailments, Francis has remained active in leading the Catholic Church’s 1.4 billion followers. However, this latest illness has forced him to scale back his public appearances, including skipping his traditional Sunday Angelus prayer for four consecutive weeks.
Historically, during previous hospital stays, Pope Francis has appeared on a hospital balcony to deliver the Angelus blessing. However, due to his current condition, the Vatican announced that Sunday’s prayer would be shared in written form, similar to the past three weeks.
The Pope’s absence from public view has raised concerns about his long-term health, though Vatican officials continue to reassure the public that he is responding well to treatment.
As the faithful await further updates, many continue to pray for the Pope’s swift recovery. His ongoing battle with health issues underscores the physical toll of his leadership and raises questions about how he will manage his responsibilities moving forward.
