ROME — The Vatican confirmed that Pope Francis was in stable condition on Sunday and did not require mechanical ventilation, suggesting he is overcoming potential complications from a respiratory issue he experienced on Friday. Reports indicated that the 88-year-old pope’s overall breathing ability was improving during his recovery from pneumonia.
Despite continuing to receive high-flow supplemental oxygen following the coughing incident, which initially raised concerns about a new lung infection, updates from his doctors remained positive. They described his condition as stable, though they acknowledged the overall complexity of his health and maintained a guarded prognosis.
Since being admitted to the hospital on February 14, Francis has spent his time resting, praying in his private chapel, and participating in Mass. He was visited by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican secretary of state, and Archbishop Edgar Pena Parra, his chief of staff. The content of their discussions remains undisclosed, yet such meetings are regular occurrences, even when Francis is within the Vatican.
The pope opted to forgo his regular noon blessing from the hospital, avoiding a public appearance. The Vatican instead released a message written by Francis during his stay at Gemelli Hospital. In it, he expressed gratitude for the care provided by his doctors and the prayers of well-wishers, as well as his hopes for peace in Ukraine and around the world.
“From here, war appears even more absurd,” Pope Francis noted in his recently drafted message. He shared that his hospitalization offered a profound sense of solidarity with those who are sick and suffering globally. “I feel in my heart the ‘blessing’ that is hidden within frailty, because it is precisely in these moments that we learn even more to trust in the Lord,” Francis stated, extending his thanks to God for allowing him to empathetically share the struggles of others.
The pope’s recovery showed promising signs following Friday’s respiratory incident, during which he inhaled vomit while coughing, heightening fears of a new infection. Medical personnel aspirated the vomit and placed him on a noninvasive mechanical ventilator, which administers oxygen through a mask. By Sunday, the ventilator was no longer necessary.
Medical updates indicated no fever or elevated white blood cell count, which would signify the body fighting an infection. After Friday’s incident, doctors emphasized the need for 24 to 48 hours to assess any negative effects on Francis’ health. Positive updates over the weekend suggested a successful recovery.
Having part of one lung removed in his youth due to lung disease, Pope Francis was hospitalized after his bronchitis advanced to a complex form of pneumonia affecting both lungs.
As the Vatican’s Holy Year draws pilgrims to Rome, people have included Gemelli Hospital in their itineraries to pray for Francis, situated about a 20-minute drive from the Vatican. The Rev. Riccardo Fumagalli accompanied a group of teenagers from Milan, intending to attend the pope’s Angelus prayer. Instead, they gathered at the hospital.
“It seemed good to us to come here to express our closeness, especially of these teenagers, to be close to the Holy Father to pray for him, to pray for this moment of illness,” he explained.
Antonino Cacace, a cancer patient visiting Gemelli for his own upcoming surgery, looked forward to Francis’ prayers. “I am glad the pope is giving me help,” Cacace said. “I am on the ninth (floor) and he is on the 10th (floor). I hope to meet him and see him.”
As Pope Francis continues his recovery, messages of support and prayers from well-wishers around the world highlight the influence and connection felt toward him in his time of need.
