VATICAN CITY, Feb 18 – Pope Francis, who has been in the hospital for his fifth day due to a “complex” respiratory infection, will not be participating in the Holy Year events scheduled for this weekend, as outlined by Vatican officials on Tuesday. The 88-year-old pontiff has been grappling with a respiratory infection for over a week, leading to his admission to Rome’s Gemelli hospital on February 14. All public appearances on the pope’s agenda have been called off until Sunday, according to a brief statement from the Vatican. Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni reported that Francis had a peaceful night’s sleep and had breakfast on Tuesday morning. A further update on the pope’s health condition is anticipated later in the day.
An unnamed Vatican source, providing insights on the pope’s status without official clearance, confirmed that Pope Francis is not currently on a ventilator and is able to breathe independently. Originally scheduled to preside over numerous events during the upcoming weekend as part of the 2025 Catholic Holy Year celebrations, the pope’s absence comes as a disappointment to those expecting his leadership during this special period of forgiveness and reconciliation for Catholics worldwide. The Vatican estimates that approximately 32 million visitors will flock to Rome over the course of the year to partake in various special audiences with Pope Francis.
Recent updates from the Vatican indicate that medical professionals have modified the pope’s medication regimen for the second time since his hospitalization to address what they have termed a “complex clinical situation.” Described as a “polymicrobial infection of the respiratory tract,” the health complication is a result of the involvement of two or more microorganisms, which could be bacteria, viruses, or fungi.
Pope Francis, who ascended to the papacy in 2013, has encountered influenza and other health challenges on multiple occasions in recent years. His medical history includes a bout of pleurisy during his youth, necessitating the removal of a portion of one lung. Furthermore, he has experienced recurrent lung infections in more recent times. The Vatican has affirmed that Pope Francis will remain in the hospital for as long as needed but has not disclosed whether the infection is bacterial or viral in nature. While bacterial infections can typically be addressed with antibiotics, viral infections often require supportive care as they run their course, albeit with measures to alleviate symptoms and bolster the body’s immune response.
As the situation unfolds, the Vatican continues to monitor Pope Francis’ health closely. The cancellation of his engagements underscores the priority placed on his recovery, emphasizing the need for comprehensive medical care during this challenging period. Stay tuned for further updates on Pope Francis’ condition as the Vatican navigates this health crisis with vigilance and care. (Editing by Crispian Balmer, Alvise Armellini, and Janet Lawrence) This article was originally published in USA TODAY: “Pope Francis illness: Vatican cancels pope’s weekend engagements.”
