At 88 years old, Pope Francis marked two weeks of hospitalization at Gemelli Hospital in Rome on Friday, February 28, 2025, battling bilateral pneumonia that took a severe turn with new complications. In the early afternoon, the pontiff experienced an isolated bronchospasm crisis, followed by vomiting with aspiration, which abruptly worsened his respiratory condition. The Vatican reported that he underwent bronchoaspiration and began non-invasive mechanical ventilation, showing a positive response in gas exchange. Despite the setback, Francis remains conscious and cooperative with medical procedures, though his prognosis is still reserved. Earlier in the day, he received the Eucharist and spent the morning alternating between respiratory physiotherapy and prayers in the chapel of his room on the hospital’s tenth floor. The situation has drawn global attention from the faithful as the leader of the Catholic Church fights a respiratory infection described as complex due to multiple microorganisms.
The day had started with signs of stability for the pope. After a restful night, he was reported to be resting, according to the Vatican’s morning update. Over the past few days, medical bulletins indicated gradual improvement, with alternating use of high-flow oxygen therapy and a respiratory mask, alongside daily physiotherapy sessions. However, the afternoon episode shifted the outlook, highlighting the fragility of his lung condition, compounded by a history that includes the removal of part of his right lung in his youth due to pleurisy.
Thousands of Catholics worldwide follow the updates with concern. In Rome, groups of faithful gather daily outside Gemelli Hospital and at St. Peter’s Square to pray for his recovery. This hospitalization, which began on February 14, is now the longest of his pontificate, matching the ten days in 2023 when he underwent surgery for an abdominal hernia. The current condition, however, is deemed more critical due to his advanced age and respiratory complications.
Health trajectory reveals ups and downs during hospitalization
The sudden worsening of Francis’s health caught many off guard, especially after days of more optimistic reports. On Thursday, the Vatican noted that the pope’s clinical condition was improving, supported by a combination of treatments including oxygen therapy and respiratory physiotherapy. The bilateral pneumonia, confirmed after tests like a chest CT scan, had been managed with corticosteroids and antibiotics, adjusted throughout his stay to address the polymicrobial infection. The stability achieved until then suggested a potential path toward recovery, but the bronchospasm shifted that narrative.
Prior to this latest incident, Francis had faced critical moments. On Saturday, February 22, he endured a prolonged respiratory crisis, described as asthmatic, requiring high-flow oxygenation and blood transfusions due to low platelet counts linked to anemia. Even so, he remained alert, spending much of the day in an armchair and engaging in light activities like reading and working with close aides. The medical team had already flagged the risk of sepsis, a systemic infection in the bloodstream, as a persistent concern given the severity of his condition.
The hospitalization began after a week of breathing difficulties, initially diagnosed as asthmatic bronchitis. On February 14, Francis was admitted to Gemelli Hospital for tests and treatment, but the progression to bilateral pneumonia was confirmed days later. Since then, his official schedule has been canceled, including events for the Holy Year of the Catholic Church, which runs until January 2026, and the traditional Angelus blessing, missed for the third time in his nearly 12-year papacy.
Gemelli Hospital: a cornerstone in papal care
Situated in Rome, Gemelli Hospital has become a key fixture in Francis’s health struggles. Known for its special tenth-floor wing reserved for popes, the facility has treated him on prior occasions, such as in March 2023 for a respiratory infection and in 2021 for colon surgery due to diverticulitis. It also hosted extended stays for Pope John Paul II, cementing its reputation as a go-to institution for Vatican leaders.
Equipped with advanced technology and a skilled staff, Gemelli provides Francis with a controlled environment to manage his current condition. The non-invasive mechanical ventilation, introduced after the bronchospasm, is a vital tool to ease respiratory strain without requiring intubation, allowing the pope to stay awake and active within his limits. The presence of a chapel in his adapted room reflects efforts to maintain his spiritual routine, including daily Eucharist reception and prayer time.
The hospital’s setup also accommodates the influx of supporters and dignitaries. On Wednesday, February 19, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni visited Francis for 20 minutes, noting that he was alert and in good spirits despite his serious state. The visit, announced post-facto, underscored solidarity at a time of uncertainty surrounding the pontiff’s health.
Past health challenges complicate pneumonia battle
Francis confronts bilateral pneumonia with a medical history that heightens treatment challenges. At age 21, he underwent surgery to remove part of his right lung following a severe pleurisy infection, permanently reducing his respiratory capacity. This background makes him more prone to pulmonary complications like those he faces now. In recent years, he has also dealt with chronic knee and hip pain, relying on a wheelchair for public appearances since 2022.
Over the past two years, respiratory issues have grown prominent. In December 2024, he fell at his residence, injuring his chin, and in January 2025, another fall resulted in a bruised arm. In 2023, he spent three days hospitalized for a respiratory infection treated with antibiotics, recovering swiftly. In 2021, surgery to remove 33 centimeters of his colon for diverticulitis required a lengthy stay, and in 2023, he noted the condition had flared up again. These incidents reveal a body increasingly frail, especially against a severe infection like the current one.
His advanced age adds further complexity. At 88, Francis is more susceptible to complications such as the mild renal insufficiency detected last week, which, though managed, compounds his condition. The mix of bilateral pneumonia, polymicrobial infection, and respiratory crises like bronchospasm demands intensive care that tests his physical endurance.
Timeline of Pope Francis’s 14-day hospitalization
Francis’s stay at Gemelli Hospital follows a sequence of events reflecting the gravity and fluctuations of his health. Key milestones include:
- February 14: Francis is admitted with breathing difficulties, initially diagnosed as asthmatic bronchitis.
- February 18: Tests confirm bilateral pneumonia, described as complex due to a polymicrobial infection.
- February 22: A prolonged respiratory crisis prompts high-flow oxygenation and blood transfusions for anemia.
- February 23: Mild renal insufficiency is detected, but the pope enjoys a restful night.
- February 28: Bronchospasm and vomiting with aspiration lead to non-invasive mechanical ventilation.
This timeline underscores the shift from a manageable condition to a higher-risk scenario, keeping the prognosis cautious.
Global response and solidarity with the pontiff
Francis’s health has galvanized Catholics and religious leaders worldwide. In Buenos Aires, hundreds gathered in public squares to pray for his recovery, while in New York, Cardinal Timothy Dolan spoke of the faithful uniting “beside a sick father.” In Rome, pilgrims planning to attend the canceled general audience flocked to St. Peter’s Square for prayers. Even U.S. Vice President JD Vance called for prayers for the pope on social media.
The Catholic Church adjusts to Francis’s absence from major events. On Sunday, February 23, the Jubilee of Deacons Mass, attended by over 6,000 pilgrims from 100 countries, was led by Archbishop Rino Fisichella in his stead. The Holy See maintains communication with the faithful through daily bulletins, while cardinals like Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State, dismiss speculation of resignation, affirming that Francis remains engaged in his duties, albeit from the hospital.
Intensive care and next steps in treatment
The medical team currently focuses on stabilizing Francis’s respiratory condition post-bronchospasm. Non-invasive mechanical ventilation, delivered via a mask to provide pressurized oxygen, reduces breathing difficulty without intubation risks. Bronchoaspiration, performed to clear lung secretions after vomiting with aspiration, was critical to prevent further complications. Daily respiratory physiotherapy continues to strengthen his weakened lungs.
While the pope responds well to gas exchange, the polymicrobial infection requires ongoing adjustments to antibiotic and corticosteroid therapy. Multiple pathogens complicate treatment, and doctors closely monitor for signs of sepsis or renal decline. No discharge date is set, with the coming days pivotal in determining whether his condition stabilizes further or faces new setbacks.
Key facts to understand Pope Francis’s condition
Bilateral pneumonia and its complications can be complex. Here are essential points about Francis’s situation:
- Bilateral pneumonia: Inflammation in both lungs, more severe than unilateral cases, impairing breathing.
- Polymicrobial infection: Caused by multiple microorganisms, necessitating combined treatments.
- Bronchospasm: Sudden airway constriction, common in those with asthma or compromised lungs.
- Non-invasive ventilation: Aids oxygenation without intubation, signaling advanced respiratory support needs.
These factors highlight the seriousness of his state and the need for continuous medical oversight.
