According to The Vatican, Pope Francis has been found to have pneumonia in both lungs. The Vatican mentioned that his respiratory infection is still complicated.
The 88-year-old Pontiff has suffered with a respiratory infection for over a week and was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital on February 14.
The Vatican said Francis’ respiratory infection also involves asthmatic bronchitis, which required the use of cortisone antibiotic treatment.
A spokesperson stated in the latest report that the results from laboratory tests and chest X-rays, as well as the Pope’s overall health condition, are intricate.
They added that the Holy Father remained in good spirits and was thankful for prayers for his recovery.
The Vatican City cancelled this weekend’s papal audiences and delegated others to step as the Pope remains in hospital.
Earlier today, he was said to be in a ‘stable’ condition and does not have a fever after being admitted to hospital with bronchitis last week.
Despite this, his current bout in hospital has already surpassed a previous hospitalisation for pneumonia in 2023.
Pope Francis has been diagnosed with bilateral pneumonia as his respiratory infection ‘continues to present a complex picture, The Vatican have said
The Vatican has not specified when Pope Francis will resume his responsibilities. Furthermore, a spokesperson has announced the cancellation of the Holy Father’s General Audience for the week (seen in a photo from February 1).
Yesterday it was determined that he was suffering from a polymicrobial respiratory tract infection – meaning a mix of viruses, bacteria and possibly other organisms were growing in his lungs.
His condition has already required two changes in his drug regimen, with the Vatican previously confirming it would mean he would have an ‘adequate’ hospital stay.
The Pope previously part of one lung removed after a pulmonary infection when he was 21-years-old and as such is prone to bouts of bronchitis in winter.
Current concerns are that antibiotics and other drugs don’t work in isolation and require the body to respond, which, given Francis’s other problems, may make recovery more challenging.
In addition to his bouts of respiratory infections in winter, he uses a wheelchair, walker or cane because of bad knees and suffers from sciatica nerve pain.
When he had a bad case of pneumonia in 2023, he left the hospital after three days and only acknowledged after the fact that he had been admitted urgently due to feeling faint and having a sharp pain in his chest.
‘The pope is at risk of pneumonia because of this polymicrobial bronchitis,’ said Dr. Carmelo D’Asero, an infectious disease and geriatric disease expert in Rome.
The 88-year-old pontiff has suffered with a respiratory infection for over a week and was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital on February 14
A faithful from Bolivia holds candles of Pope Francis near a statue of Pope John Paul II outside the Gemelli hospital today
A faithful from Bolivia holds candles of Pope Francis near a statue of Pope John Paul II outside the Gemelli hospital at the Vatican
‘We will see the effect of this new therapy in four to five days.’
D’Asero, who is not involved in Francis’ care, noted that his lack of a fever was not necessarily a positive thing, given the seriousness of his infection.
‘A high fever is a sign of an immune response to a pathogen,’ he said. ‘Having a low fever and having a serious bronchial infection is a sign of a decreased immune response and that makes us worry a little bit more, let’s say. Maybe if he had a fever, it would have been better.’
Francis once again had a peaceful night, ate breakfast and read the newspapers Tuesday morning, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said.
Despite the Pope’s ill health, Vatican operations are expected to continue as normal but recent cancellations could impact the big Holy Year.
The Catholic celebration, which occurs every 25 years, encourages those who follow the religion to make the pilgrimage to Rome and participate in the Jubilee activities.
Around 30 million people are set to descend on Rome, with the event packed with special papal audiences and Masses throughout 2025.
But some of the occasions have come into question as a timeline of when the Pontiff’s health will ameliorate remains unclear.
The known workaholic has previously ignored medical advice to stay indoors during Rome’s chilly winter and continued with his jam-packed schedule
However the Pope had part of one lung removed after a pulmonary infection as a 21-year-old and is prone to bouts of bronchitis in winter
A candle with an image of Pope Francis lies among other candles outside the Gemelli Hospital
The Holy Father, who is a known workaholic and keeps up a gruelling pace despite his health woes, refused to let up on his busy schedule resuming some of his work only yesterday – including making his daily call to a Gaza City parish.
In the past, he has previously ignored medical advice to stay indoors during Rome’s chilly winter and continued with his jam-packed schedule.
On February 9, he insisted on sitting through an outdoor Jubilee Mass for the armed forces even though he was having trouble breathing.
In a sign that other Vatican business was proceeding as usual today, the Vatican No. 2, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, continued his delicate visit to Burkina Faso.
Another top Vatican figure, Cardinal Michael Czerny, also prepared to leave Wednesday for a five-day visit to Lebanon.
However other business will not go ahead as usual with no general audience on Wednesday. It is also unclear if Francis will miss his Sunday noon blessing for a second week in a row.
This Holy Year weekend was dedicated to deacons, the ministry that is a necessary step for men who are preparing to become priests.
Francis’ hospital admission this year has already sidelined him for longer than a 2023 hospitalisation for pneumonia
Candle tributes to the Pontiff outside Rome’s Gemelli hospital where Francis is staying
Francis had an unrelated audience Saturday and was supposed to have ordained the deacons during a Mass on Sunday.
The Vatican on Tuesday announced his audience was cancelled. The archbishop who is organising the Jubilee is set to celebrate the Mass instead of the Holy Father.
Last weekend, the Vatican announced when artists in town had to settle for a scrapped papal audience and a cardinal presiding over their special Mass.
The next Jubilee events on the calendar that would typically involve the pope are the March 8-9 weekend dedicated to volunteers.
