ROME (AP) — The health of Pope Francis continues to deteriorate, deepening the mystery surrounding the Vatican. The 88-year-old pontiff, who has been battling pneumonia and a complex respiratory infection, reached the one-week mark of his hospitalization on Friday. The Vatican reported that despite his ailments, Pope Francis was able to get out of bed and have breakfast, showing slight improvement in his overall clinical condition. However, doctors cautioned that it would take time to determine the effectiveness of the various drug therapies, with recovery from pneumonia potentially taking up to two weeks in such a fragile patient.
Since being admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital on Feb. 14 due to worsening bronchitis, Pope Francis’s health complications have escalated, with the onset of pneumonia in both lungs on top of asthmatic bronchitis. The Vatican has emphasized the need for the pontiff to have “absolute rest” as he continues his treatment.
As concerns for his health persist, some cardinals close to Pope Francis have started addressing the possibility of his resignation if his condition becomes irreversible. While Pope Francis has previously mentioned that he would consider stepping down, following Pope Benedict XVI’s example, he has not shown any intention of doing so, stating that being the pope is a lifelong commitment. Nonetheless, the question of resignation is now being raised, especially after the precedent set by Pope Benedict’s resignation in 2013 due to health concerns.
Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline of Marseille, France, acknowledged the uncertainty, stating that “everything is possible,” while Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi suggested that if Pope Francis’s ability to interact with people is compromised, he might choose to resign.
Pope Francis had revealed in 2022 that he had drafted a resignation letter early in his pontificate in case health issues prevented him from fulfilling his duties. While there are no specific guidelines in canon law for a situation where a pope becomes incapacitated, it is important to note that there is no indication that Pope Francis is considering stepping down at this time.
Despite his current health challenges, Pope Francis has continued to work from the hospital, including making appointments for bishops. His medical history, including previous bouts of pneumonia and respiratory infections, underscores the risks associated with his current condition. Doctors have highlighted the complexities of treating pneumonia in an elderly patient with pre-existing health conditions, emphasizing the challenges of managing fluid in the lungs.
Pope Francis, known for his strong heart but less-than-ideal overall health, has faced medical issues in the past. His recent hospitalization is his third prolonged stay during his pontificate, with previous admissions for colon surgery in 2021 and other health concerns in 2023.
To undergo a procedure aimed at removing scar tissue in the intestines and repairing an abdominal hernia, the pontiff is currently in recovery. During this time, Catholic followers have been actively engaging in special moments of prayer. In the Philippines, recognized as Asia’s largest Catholic nation, devoted Filipino worshippers gathered for an hour of prayer at the Manila Cathedral to petition for the pope’s swift recuperation. Additionally, Catholics worldwide were encouraged to join in prayer from their homes and communities for the pontiff, who garnered a historic audience of 6 million individuals during his Mass celebration in a Manila park back in 2015, as indicated by official estimates at the time. Reflecting on the significance of the Philippines in the pontiff’s heart, Archbishop Charles John Brown, the Vatican’s representative in Manila, highlighted the country’s special connection to the pope. Reporting from Manila, Philippines, Jim Gomez contributed to this article. The Associated Press’s religion coverage is made possible through its partnership with The Conversation US, with financial backing from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP bears full responsibility for the content provided.
