Pontiff Follows Mass from Hospital While Undergoing Treatment
Pope Francis is in stable condition as he continues treatment for a respiratory tract infection at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, the Vatican confirmed on Sunday. The 88-year-old pontiff, who was admitted on Friday after a worsening bout of bronchitis, has been prescribed “absolute rest” and is receiving unspecified drug therapy.
Despite his hospitalization, Pope Francis maintained a routine on Sunday morning, having breakfast, reading newspapers, and following Mass on television, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said. In the afternoon, he alternated between reading and resting.
This marks the pope’s fourth hospitalization since his election in 2013, raising concerns about his fragile health. Having had part of one lung removed in his youth due to a severe infection, Francis has remained prone to respiratory illnesses. In 2023, he spent three days at the same hospital receiving treatment for what was later revealed to be an acute case of pneumonia.
Doctors have confirmed his current diagnosis as a respiratory tract infection but have not specified its exact nature. While bronchitis can sometimes progress to pneumonia, the Vatican has not disclosed whether additional complications have arisen.
Due to his condition, Pope Francis was unable to deliver his traditional Sunday noon Angelus blessing. Unlike previous hospital stays where he greeted well-wishers from a window, he refrained from any public appearances this time. A small crowd gathered outside the hospital, hoping to see the pope, but he remained inside resting.
His @Pontifex social media account, which is managed by the Vatican, shared a message of gratitude:
“Thank you for the affection, prayer, and closeness with which you are accompanying me in these days.”
The Vatican has canceled all of his scheduled events through Monday, including a Holy Year Mass that he was set to preside over for visiting artists. The service was instead led by the Vatican’s culture minister.
Even after his bronchitis diagnosis on February 6, Pope Francis continued an intense schedule, holding multiple private and public audiences daily while managing preparations for the Catholic Church’s Holy Year. His relentless work ethic has often been a point of admiration and concern.
Medical experts have emphasized the importance of rest in preventing further complications. Treatments for respiratory infections can vary based on severity, potentially including oxygen support, intravenous fluids, and medications to address underlying causes.
For now, the Vatican remains cautiously optimistic about the pope’s recovery, with updates expected in the coming days.