Pope’s Health Condition Gets Worse
THE ILLNESS…
Pope Francis, the 88-year-old leader of the Roman Catholic Church, has been hospitalized at Rome's Gemelli Hospital since February 14, 2025, battling pneumonia in both lungs. On March 3, 2025, the Vatican reported that he suffered two episodes of acute respiratory failure earlier that day, caused by a significant buildup of mucus and fluids in his lungs, leading to bronchial spasms that severely impaired his breathing. These crises necessitated immediate medical intervention, including two bronchoscopies to clear his airways and the reintroduction of non-invasive mechanical ventilation, such as an oxygen mask, to support his respiratory function. Despite these setbacks, the Pope remains alert, oriented, and cooperative, though his prognosis is described as "guarded," reflecting ongoing concern about his condition after more than two weeks in the hospital.
The respiratory failures mark a significant deterioration in Pope Francis’s health, coming after a weekend of apparent improvement. On Friday, February 28, he experienced a coughing fit during which he inhaled vomit, prompting initial use of ventilation that was briefly discontinued as he stabilized over the weekend. However, Monday’s incidents reversed this progress, with the Vatican describing the afternoon as "complicated" before the crises subsided. This is his fourth hospitalization since becoming Pope in 2013, compounded by a history of lung issues—he had part of one lung removed as a young man—and previous surgeries, including abdominal procedures in 2021 and 2023. The recurrence of respiratory distress underscores the fragility of his health, especially as he continues treatment for double pneumonia, a condition that can be particularly dangerous given his age and medical background.
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Despite his critical condition, Pope Francis has remained engaged, issuing a message from his hospital bed on March 3 thanking his doctors and well-wishers while calling for peace in conflict zones like Ukraine. The Vatican has canceled his public appearances, including the Sunday Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica, as he focuses on recovery ahead of Lent. Medical experts, such as Dr. John Coleman from Northwestern Medicine, have expressed alarm at the severity of these events, noting that the need for heightened respiratory support after weeks of hospitalization is "extremely concerning." As the Pontiff rests under close observation, the Church and global community watch anxiously, with his health raising broader questions about leadership continuity should his condition worsen, especially given his prior mention of a resignation letter filed in case of incapacitation.