“Pontiff’s Condition Raises Concern, Vatican Releases Statement”
Francis was admitted to the hospital on February 14 after a week-long bout of bronchitis worsened. Doctors initially diagnosed a complex viral, bacterial, and fungal respiratory tract infection, which later progressed to pneumonia affecting both lungs.
Late on Sunday, medical tests revealed early signs of slight kidney insufficiency, although it was reported to be under control. Despite remaining in critical condition, Francis had not experienced any further respiratory crises since Saturday evening.
The Vatican confirmed that Pope Francis had a peaceful night’s rest at the hospital following the recent respiratory crisis. A compassionate individual placed a rosary at the statue of the late Pope John Paul II outside Gemelli Hospital in Rome, where Pope Francis was receiving treatment on February 22, 2025.
Due to a past surgery where part of one lung was removed, Francis required high levels of supplemental oxygen and received two blood transfusions on Sunday to boost his hemoglobin levels. Medical professionals noted that his prognosis was guarded but mentioned that the pope was alert and responsive, even attending Mass on Sunday.
Given his age, fragility, and pre-existing lung ailment, doctors expressed that Francis’ condition was touch-and-go. They emphasized that the primary concern for Francis was the potential development of sepsis, a severe bloodstream infection that could arise as a complication of pneumonia.
As of Tuesday, Francis had spent 11 days in the hospital, surpassing his longest hospitalization during his papacy, which lasted 10 days at Gemelli Hospital in 2021 following a surgery to remove part of his colon. Cardinal Timothy Dolan in New York acknowledged on Sunday that the Catholic community stood united “at the bedside of a dying father,” hinting at the limited time left for Francis, a sentiment not publicly declared by church authorities in Rome.
This report includes contributions from Fox News’ Landon Mion. Source: Pope Francis in critical but stable condition, has CT scan, Vatican says.
