Pope Francis, who is hospitalized with pneumonia in both lungs, passed a stable night and is resting, the Vatican confirmed on Monday.
The 88-year-old pontiff, who has led the Catholic Church since 2013, was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on February 14 after experiencing breathing difficulties. Initially diagnosed with bronchitis, his condition worsened into pneumonia, prompting growing concerns over his health.
Medical Updates and Concerns
“The night passed well; the pope slept and is resting,” the Vatican stated. This marks the longest hospitalization of Pope Francis’s papacy.
On Sunday, the Vatican reported that the pontiff remains under “high-flow” oxygen therapy via a nasal cannula. Blood tests also revealed an “initial, mild renal failure,” which is currently under control.
Despite his alertness, doctors remain cautious. “The complexity of the clinical picture and the need to wait for the pharmacological treatments to take effect mean that the prognosis remains reserved,” the Vatican noted.
Medical experts have warned of potential complications. Abele Donati, head of anaesthesia and intensive care at the Marche University Hospital, told Corriere della Sera that the renal failure “could signal the presence of sepsis in the early stages.”
Professor Sergio Alfieri, leading Francis’s medical team, also raised concerns about the possibility of infection spreading into the bloodstream, which could result in sepsis, a life-threatening condition.
Global Concern and Speculation on Resignation
The pope’s continued hospitalization has sparked an outpouring of prayers from Catholics worldwide, while also fueling speculation about a possible resignation.
Francis has previously suggested he might step down if his health significantly declines, following the precedent set by his predecessor, Benedict XVI, who in 2013 became the first pope in centuries to resign.
For now, the Vatican remains focused on the pope’s recovery, with further updates expected in the coming days.
