Pope Francis, 88, spent a stable night in hospital and is resting, the Vatican announced on Monday, following his for pneumonia in both lungs. The head of the Catholic Church, who has led the Vatican since 2013, was hospitalized on February 14 due to breathing difficulties.
Initially diagnosed with bronchitis, his condition worsened into pneumonia, prompting the Vatican on Saturday to acknowledge for the first time that his situation was critical. On Sunday, the Vatican reported that Francis remains on “high-flow” oxygen therapy via a nasal cannula. Blood tests also indicated the onset of mild renal failure, which doctors are currently managing.
While the pope is alert, medical experts caution that his condition remains complex, and his prognosis is still uncertain as treatments take effect. Abele Donati, head of intensive care at Marche University Hospital, told Corriere della Sera that the renal failure could suggest early-stage sepsis, a serious response to infection.
Professor Sergio Alfieri, leading the pope’s medical team at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, warned last week that the greatest risk in such cases is bacteria entering the bloodstream, which could lead to sepsis, a potentially life-threatening condition. As Francis remains hospitalized, Catholics worldwide have gathered in prayer for his recovery.
His health struggles have also reignited discussions about the possibility of his resignation. Though he has acknowledged that stepping down remains an option—following the precedent set by his predecessor, Benedict XVI—he has repeatedly stated that the time for such a decision has not yet come.
