ROME — The Vatican announced on Thursday that Pope Francis’ health is experiencing a “slight improvement” as he continues to recover from pneumonia. According to spokesperson Matteo Bruni, the pope’s heart is functioning well, and he currently has no fever, with vital heart parameters remaining stable.
The 88-year-old pope was admitted to the hospital on February 14 due to a worsening case of bronchitis, which subsequently led to pneumonia in both lungs on top of asthmatic bronchitis. Doctors have advised him to take “absolute rest.” Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline, the archbishop of Marseille, humorously commented during a Vatican news conference that hospitalization was the best way to ensure the pope gets the rest he needs, given his strong dedication to his work.
During the news conference, which focused on a Mediterranean youth peace initiative alongside Barcelona Cardinal Juan Josè Omella, the discussion turned to Francis’ health. The limited updates prompted inquiries about his condition, particularly regarding the potential of his resignation should he not attain a full recovery. Aveline replied, “Everything is possible,” while Omella assured that the church remains active and continues its mission despite the pope’s hospitalization, stating, “Popes change, we bishops change, priests in parishes change, communities change. But the train continues to be on the move.”
Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi also weighed in on the topic of resignation, noting that if the pope’s ability to engage with people were significantly hindered, he might consider stepping down. This remark brought to mind Pope Benedict XVI, who resigned in 2013, becoming the first pope to do so in 600 years due to his inability to fulfill the demands of the papacy.
Pope Francis had previously revealed that he penned a resignation letter shortly after his election, anticipating that health issues might one day hinder him from his duties. However, there is currently no indication that the pope is incapacitated. Bruni mentioned that on Thursday morning, Francis was able to rise from bed, enjoy breakfast in an armchair, and continue working with his aides in his hospital room. Blood tests indicated a “slight improvement” in inflammation, but it will take time for the medical team to ascertain the effectiveness of the treatments being applied.
The pope has a history of respiratory issues, particularly in the winter months. Physicians caution that the nature of pneumonia in an elderly patient like Francis increases the risk of complications, as it can impede the effective expulsion of fluid from the lungs. Despite his heart being robust, Francis faces health challenges; he is overweight, lacks physical activity, relies on a wheelchair due to problematic knees, and had undergone lung surgery in his younger years. Furthermore, he has acknowledged past resistance to medical recommendations.
Archbishop Giuseppe Satriano of Bari expressed sadness over the pope’s illness but remained optimistic about his recovery. He reminisced about how Francis surprised everyone by successfully completing an arduous four-nation trip to Asia last September, countering expectations of exhaustion. “Even during the long trip in Asia, the Swiss Guards and gendarmes came back more tired than he, and we all feared he’d come back destroyed,” Satriano said. “But he’s a fighter, so I believe he’ll win this battle.”
