Off The Record

The Vatican Releases A Health Report While Pope Francis, 88, Is Hospitalized

Published on February 19, 2025

Following Pope Francis’ hospitalization, the Vatican issued a statement.

Following the onset of bronchitis, the 88-year-old Pontiff was brought to the Gemelli hospital in Rome on Friday, February 14.

The Vatican claims that Pope has received treatment after being diagnosed with a respiratory tract infection.

“The results of the tests carried out in recent days and today have demonstrated a polymicrobial infection of the respiratory tract, which has led to a further modification of the therapy,” the Vatican said in a statement.

Two or more microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, or fungi, can cause a polymicrobial infection, which complicates therapy.

“All tests conducted up to today are indicative of a complex clinical picture that will require an appropriate hospital stay,” the statement said.

The Pope will stay in the hospital for as long as it takes to manage his condition, and doctors have modified his therapy accordingly. Pope Francis is “in good spirits,” according to Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni, despite his sickness.

The Vatican has canceled the Pope’s weekly audience in St. Peter’s Square, which was supposed to take place on Wednesday, February 19, due to his ongoing illness.

He also had to skip a special Mass for artists celebrating the Catholic Church’s Jubilee Year and his customary Sunday prayer during the weekend.

Pilgrims visiting the Vatican have expressed their concern over his absence. Rev. Tyler Carter, a Catholic priest from the United States, shared his well-wishes: “We certainly wish for him to get better very quickly. He is our father and our shepherd, and so we want his continued health and blessing,” cited by The Independent.

Italian tourist Manuel Rossi admitted to feeling “worried,” adding: “I am 18 years old so I have seen few popes in my life, and am very close to him… I hope he recovers as soon as possible.”

Even from his hospital bed, Pope Francis has not stopped working. According to Italian network Mediaset, Pope personally called parishioners of a Catholic parish in Gaza over the weekend.

The Pope was in “good spirits” but sounded “a bit tired” when he called on Friday and Saturday, according to one parishioner.

On Sunday (February 16), Francis also took to social media to acknowledge the global outpouring of support: “Thank you for the affection, prayer, and closeness with which you accompany me in these days,” he wrote on X.

The Pope has previously experienced significant health issues. He had a lung removed as a young man because of an infection, which made him vulnerable to respiratory problems.

Concerns regarding his health have persisted since he was hospitalized four times after his election in 2013.

He required a lengthy hospital stay following surgery to remove a portion of his colon in 2021, and after recovering from acute pneumonia in 2023, he made the diagnosis public.

He currently uses a cane or walker, and he has recently fallen twice, hurting his arm and chin.

I hope Pope Francis recovers well and quickly!