Pope Francis ‘improving’: Joy as Vatican confirms positive progress.
Vatican City, Italy, 2025: A nun recites the Holy Rosary for Pope Francis in the Altar of the Confession, St. Peter’s Basilica. Pope hospitalised at the Gemelli Polyclinic for pneumonia.
Credit: Shutterstock, Marco Iacobucci Epp
Pope Francis is no longer in immediate danger, according to the Vatican, as the 88-year-old continues his recovery from double pneumonia.
The latest update from Rome’s Gemelli hospital indicates the pontiff is responding well to treatment, with doctors lifting their previous “guarded” prognosis.
The leader of the Catholic Church has been hospitalised for over three weeks, after being admitted on February 14 with a severe respiratory infection and suffered a recent scare. His condition has steadily improved, and medical assessments confirm a good response to treatment.
“The improvements recorded in previous days have further consolidated, as confirmed by both blood tests and clinical assessments, as well as a good response to his drug treatments,” the Vatican said in a statement.
Despite this progress, the Vatican confirmed that Francis will “continue medical drug treatment in a hospital setting for further days,” with no specific discharge date provided.
Ongoing treatment and therapy for Pope Francis
The pontiff suffered two episodes of acute respiratory insufficiency on 3 March but has since stabilised. He is undergoing respiratory physiotherapy to aid his breathing and continues to receive oxygen support, including non-invasive ventilation at night.
Pope Francis has experienced multiple health issues in recent years. He underwent a partial lung removal as a young man due to pleurisy, which makes him more susceptible to respiratory infections. Double pneumonia can inflame and scar the lungs, making breathing difficult, but doctors say he is responding well to treatment.
Pope Francis continues his duties from hospital
Even while receiving treatment, Pope Francis remains active in his role. He has held meetings with Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin and his deputy, and has been following a live-streamed spiritual retreat, a key Vatican event in the lead-up to Easter.
This Thursday, March 13, marks the 12th anniversary of Francis’ election as pope, though he has not been seen in public since his hospitalisation. While his recovery continues, the Vatican has not indicated when he will resume his usual schedule.
Doctors remain optimistic about his response to treatment at the moment, and the Vatican’s latest update suggests steady progress in his condition.
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