Pope Francis spent his fifth day in Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Tuesday, reading newspapers and having breakfast as usual, but remains under medical care with no clear timeline for discharge.
The 88-year-old pontiff was hospitalized last Friday for bronchitis, and on Monday, the Vatican announced a change in treatment due to a “complex” clinical picture. Initially, the Holy See cleared his schedule through Wednesday, but on Tuesday, it extended cancellations to include a scheduled audience on Saturday and reassigned his Sunday morning Mass duties to another cleric.
The Vatican did not specify whether the pope would deliver the Angelus prayer at noon on Sunday, which he missed last weekend due to his hospitalization.
Health Update Pending
Providing an update at Tuesday lunchtime, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said the pope’s condition remained unchanged from previous days.
“Pope Francis woke up, had breakfast, and read the newspapers as usual,” Bruni stated, adding that a further medical update would be provided in the evening.
The Jesuit pope, who has led the Catholic Church since 2013, has experienced several health challenges in recent years, including hernia and colon surgeries, and relies on a wheelchair due to knee pain. His latest hospitalization follows days of visible difficulty reading his speeches in public.
Pilgrims Pray for Recovery
As news of his hospitalization spread, pilgrims and tourists gathered in Saint Peter’s Square on Tuesday to pray for his recovery.
“I hope he gets better soon,” said Birgit Jungreuthmayer, a 48-year-old Austrian tourist. “I trust in the hospital’s doctors and hope they provide the best care.”
On Monday, the Vatican revealed that tests confirmed a polymicrobial infection of the respiratory tract, necessitating a further change in treatment. While the pope remains fever-free, his hospital stay is expected to continue.
Despite his health struggles, Francis has maintained an active papacy, traveling extensively, including a four-nation Asia-Pacific tour in September 2024, the longest of his tenure.
No Plans to Resign
Pope Francis has previously stated that he would consider stepping down if he became physically unable to fulfill his duties, following the precedent set by his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, who resigned in 2013 due to declining health.
However, in a memoir published last year, Francis dismissed speculation about resignation, insisting that his ailments do not currently warrant such a decision.
“In reality, quite simply, I am old,” he wrote. “But I carry on.”
