ROME — On Saturday, the Vatican announced that Pope Francis has been advised to take “absolute rest” as part of a revised treatment plan for his respiratory infection. This comes just a day after the 88-year-old pontiff was hospitalized due to complications from bronchitis, which had developed over the past week.
Following medical recommendations, Pope Francis will forgo delivering his customary Sunday blessing, which could have been done from his hospital room had he been in better health. The Argentine pope, known for his relentless work ethic despite ongoing health issues, was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital on Friday as his condition worsened. This hospitalization marks his fourth since being elected in 2013 and has raised concerns about his declining health.
Initial tests confirmed that he was suffering from a respiratory tract infection, a diagnosis reaffirmed by the Vatican on Saturday. A late afternoon update indicated that the pope did not have a fever and showed signs of improvement in several health indicators. The Vatican reported that he had a restful first night, enjoyed breakfast, read newspapers, and participated in the Eucharist, balancing moments of relaxation with prayer and meditation throughout the day.
In light of his condition, the Vatican has canceled all of his scheduled audiences through at least Monday. Pope Francis, who underwent a lung surgery in his youth that resulted in the removal of part of one lung, has been working diligently in recent months, managing a packed schedule filled with private meetings and overseeing events related to the Catholic Church’s ongoing Holy Year.
Since Christmas, he has been involved in numerous Jubilee events, including a recent outdoor Mass honoring the armed forces. This took place even after he had been diagnosed with bronchitis and was advised to remain indoors. On a busy Monday alone, he engaged with various dignitaries and groups, including officials from Croatia and the European Union, as well as religious leaders and artists.
This weekend, he was planning to lead a Jubilee audience for artists and celebrate a Mass for that occasion, followed by a meeting at Rome’s historic Cinecitta film studios. Instead, many of these attendees gathered at a basilica on Saturday morning to pray for the pope’s recovery.
“Pope Francis is always pushing himself, he always wants to fulfill his commitments at all costs,” stated Rev. Enzo Fortunato, the communications director for St. Peter’s Basilica. “But there comes a point when it’s necessary to advise him, ‘Holy Father, that’s enough now.’ And he listened to that advice.”
The pope is particularly susceptible to respiratory infections during the winter months. Although he was diagnosed with bronchitis on February 6, he had continued to hold daily audiences from his Vatican accommodations, opting to have his speeches read by an aide due to breathing difficulties.
“To facilitate his recovery, the medical staff prescribed absolute rest,” a statement from the Vatican confirmed. Pope Francis has a history of health complications and has been hospitalized multiple times, equipped with a wheelchair, cane, or walker to assist his mobility around the papal residence. He has experienced recent falls that resulted in injuries to his arm and chin.
In 2021, he underwent surgery to remove 33 centimeters (about 13 inches) of his large intestine due to colon narrowing. Following that, he had additional surgery in 2023 to remove intestinal scar tissue and repair a hernia. Another hospitalization that year led to a diagnosis of severe pneumonia in the lower part of his lungs.
Bronchitis can sometimes lead to pneumonia, which has more severe implications for lung health. Doctors typically diagnose pneumonia by listening for abnormal sounds in the lungs, though further tests such as chest X-rays and oxygen level measurements may also be required to confirm the condition.
Treatment plans can differ based on the severity of the illness, often involving oxygen support, intravenous fluids, and addressing the underlying causes of the infection.
