The Vatican today announced that Pope Francis remains conscious and is receiving high flows of supplemental oxygen as he continues to be treated for a complex lung infection. The pontiff, 88, has been hospitalized at the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome since February 14, 2025, following a prolonged asthmatic respiratory crisis compounded by pneumonia and other complications.
After undergoing blood transfusions to address a low platelet count, the Pope’s condition remains critical with a “reserved” prognosis. Although details on his mobility or whether he is eating were not provided in the latest update, Vatican officials confirmed that the night passed quietly and that the pontiff was able to rest.
Further clinical tests are underway, and a more comprehensive medical update is expected later today. Doctors have emphasized that the primary risk at this stage is the onset of sepsis, a severe blood infection that can complicate pneumonia. The Pope’s longstanding lung issues—including a previous partial lung removal—add to the challenges of his recovery.
In his absence, Archbishop Rino Fisichella presided over Sunday’s Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica, offering a special prayer on behalf of Pope Francis. A pre-written message from the pontiff, intended for his Sunday noon prayer, stated that he is “confidently continuing my hospitalization at the Gemelli Hospital, carrying on with the necessary treatment; and rest is also part of the therapy!” The message also referenced the painful anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, calling it “a painful and shameful occasion for the whole of humanity.”
Amid ongoing speculation regarding a potential resignation should the Pope become incapacitated, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State, stressed that such discussions are premature. “What matters most is Pope Francis’ health and recovery,” he said. “Any decision about resignation would only be considered if he were medically unable to make his own decisions, in keeping with canon law.”