Pope Francis remains in Rome’s Gemelli Hospital as he battles pneumonia, with doctors reporting slight improvements in his condition. However, a Vatican source stated on Monday that it is still too early to discuss when he might return to his residence at the Santa Marta guest house.
The 88-year-old pontiff has been hospitalized since February 14 and has faced multiple breathing crises, the latest occurring a week ago. While his clinical status is stable, his recovery remains slow. Over the weekend, doctors noted “slight improvements in a complex overall picture.”
The Vatican confirmed that Pope Francis spent a quiet night in his 10th-floor hospital suite and continued undergoing respiratory therapy. As part of his treatment, he transitions from using an oxygen mask at night to a high-flow oxygen nasal cannula during the day.
Despite his condition, the pope has kept up with global events, including the devastating floods in his home country, Argentina, which have claimed 16 lives in Bahia Blanca. In a message on Monday, he expressed his solidarity with the victims and their families.
Recovery Journey and Public Absence
This hospitalization marks the longest and most serious of Francis’ papacy. In previous hospital stays, he has appeared on the Gemelli balcony for his weekly Sunday Angelus prayer, but this time, he has missed it for four consecutive weeks. Instead, he issued a written message on Sunday, thanking the doctors and healthcare workers for their care.
“I too experience the thoughtfulness of service and the tenderness of care, in particular from the doctors and healthcare workers, whom I thank from the bottom of my heart,” the pope stated.
On Thursday, he also released a brief audio message, in which he sounded noticeably weak. While the message reassured many faithful, it also underscored the extent of his illness and the potentially long road to recovery.
Catholics Pray for the Pope
As Francis remains hospitalized, Catholics worldwide have been offering prayers for his health. On Sunday, a group of 180 young people from dioceses near Milan gathered outside the Gemelli Hospital to pray.
“We said, ‘Let’s go to the pope, to the Gemelli, and pray for him.’ He will not hear us, he will not see us, we won’t see him, but it’s a gesture of closeness,” said 32-year-old priest Marco Ferrari.
While the pope’s condition is showing gradual improvement, doctors are closely monitoring his progress, with another medical update expected later on Monday. For now, the Vatican is urging patience, emphasizing that his return home will only be considered when his health is strong enough.
