Pope Francis marked one week in the hospital on Friday as he continues to fight pneumonia and a complex respiratory infection.
The 88-year-old pontiff has shown some improvement, the Vatican reported, but doctors caution that recovery may take time.
Why It Matters
Francis’ health has been a persistent concern throughout his papacy, particularly given his history of respiratory issues. The latest hospitalization has renewed speculation over whether the pontiff might consider stepping down, following the precedent set by Pope Benedict XVI.
The Vatican said Thursday that while Francis’ heart remains strong, his response to treatments is still being evaluated. Outside medical experts have warned that pneumonia can pose significant risks for elderly patients, particularly those with pre-existing conditions.
What to Know
Francis was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital on February 14 after a bout of bronchitis worsened. Doctors later diagnosed a complex respiratory infection involving bacteria, viruses, and pneumonia in both lungs, exacerbated by his history of asthmatic bronchitis. He was placed on strict rest orders.
A Vatican statement on Friday noted, “The night went well, this morning Pope Francis got up and had breakfast.”
The Vatican has been providing twice-daily updates on the pope’s condition but no member of Francis’ medical team have appeared on camera to give updates, and no photos of him have been released since his hospitalization.
The pontiff has remained active despite his hospitalization, continuing to make bishop appointments, and met with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Wednesday, where she said he “joked around as always.”
While his health remains fragile, there is no indication he is considering stepping aside. In 2022, Francis revealed he had written a resignation letter early in his papacy in case he became medically incapacitated, but he has also expressed his belief that the role of pope is for life.
Benedict XVI died in 2022, aged 95, and was the first pope for nearly 600 years to step down from the papacy. He resigned in 2013, citing ill health.
What People Are Saying
When asked about Francis’ potential resignation, Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline, the archbishop of Marseille, said: “Everything is possible.”
Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi told RTL 102.5 radio: “There is no question that if [Francis] was in a situation where his ability to have direct contact [with people] as he likes to do…was compromised, then I think he might decide to resign.”
Giovanni Maria Vian, former editor of the Vatican newspaper L’Osservatore Romano said: “I think the dictum of ‘A pope is fine until he’s dead’ is always true…It’s a very Roman way of speaking that represents, on the one hand, the traditional skepticism of Romans and Italians, but on the other hand, an informational opacity.”
What Happens Next
Doctors continue to monitor Francis’ condition closely, emphasizing that pneumonia recovery in elderly patients can take up to two weeks.
The Vatican has yet to provide a timeline for his discharge.
This article contains reporting by The Associated Press
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