Recent reports have revealed the astonishing details of Pope Francis’s unexpected hospital stay. Sources close to the situation disclosed to CBS News that the esteemed pontiff had been actively engaged in making numerous phone calls while also receiving heartfelt notes from well-wishers. Additionally, a touching display of solidarity has emerged outside Rome’s Gemelli hospital, where individuals have gathered to express their support. Many have left touching messages and notes near a statue commemorating the late Pope John Paul II.
Furthermore, the Vatican shared a heartwarming collection of photos on Wednesday showcasing the drawings and supportive notes sent by children undergoing treatment at Gemelli’s pediatric oncology unit to the beloved pope. Known for maintaining a rigorous schedule, Pope Francis had shown signs of breathlessness during some public appearances earlier in the month. Subsequently, he was admitted to the hospital on Friday initially due to a diagnosis of bronchitis.
However, a new revelation emerged on Tuesday indicating the presence of pneumonia in both of the pope’s lungs. This diagnosis followed a prior announcement by the Vatican that the pontiff was suffering from a polymicrobial infection of the respiratory tract, leading to a complex clinical situation necessitating an extended hospital stay. The Vatican further disclosed on Tuesday that the pneumonia would require additional drug therapy, a decision reached after Francis underwent a CT scan of his chest that same afternoon.
Acknowledging the outpouring of support, the Vatican conveyed that Pope Francis deeply appreciates the overwhelming sense of closeness from his well-wishers at this challenging time. He humbly requested for continued prayers from individuals around the world. This marks the fourth hospitalization of the pontiff since assuming leadership of the Roman Catholic Church in 2013. Notably, he underwent significant abdominal surgery in 2021 followed by another procedure in 2023 to address scar tissue and an abdominal hernia. Earlier that year, he had a brief hospital stay for pneumonia treatment.
Reflecting on his health history, as a young man in Argentina, Francis had undergone the removal of a portion of one lung due to a pulmonary infection, rendering him more susceptible to respiratory ailments. Consequently, the Vatican announced the cancellation of an audience scheduled for Saturday, as well as the pope’s planned absence from leading Sunday Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica.
The ongoing hospitalization of Pope Francis coincides with a critical period just over two weeks before the commencement of the annual Christian observance of Lent. This 40-day period of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, set to take place on March 5 this year. Notably, last year just before Easter, the pontiff opted out of attending a Good Friday procession at the iconic Colosseum in Rome to prioritize his health. Nevertheless, he later led a congregation of tens of thousands in Easter celebrations.
Lastly, the text shifted focus to different topics, including the dismissal of numerous U.S. Forest and National Park Service workers by the Trump administration, clar
