By CNA Staff
Vatican City, Mar 4, 2025 / 06:42 am
Pope Francis was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Friday, Feb. 14, to undergo testing and treatment for bronchitis.
Follow here for the latest news on his health and hospitalization:
Pope Francis “slept through the night” and is now resting following his earlier episodes of acute respiratory insufficiency, the Vatican said Tuesday morning.
According to the Holy See Press Office, Pope Francis is still receiving high-flow oxygen through nasal cannulas.
The 88-year-old pontiff experienced breathing difficulties Monday due to a “significant accumulation of endobronchial mucus and subsequent bronchospasm,” which caused a narrowing of the bronchial tubes.
The pope underwent two bronchoscopies “with the need for aspiration of copious secretions,” the Vatican statement said. Doctors for a while resumed non-invasive mechanical ventilation to assist with his breathing on Monday.
Meanwhile, the Vatican prayer vigil for the pope’s recovery continues.
Cardinal Arthur Roche, prefect of the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, will lead the Rosary in St. Peter’s Square on Tuesday evening at 9 p.m.
Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, is joined Monday evening by hundreds of faithful in prayer as he leads the eighth rosary for Pope Francis’ recovery in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican.
Tonight, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, led the 8th Holy Rosary of the week in St. Peter’s Square, joined by hundreds of faithful in prayer for Pope Francis’ recovery on his 17th day in the hospital. pic.twitter.com/sFQ4rSftQ6
Pope Francis on Monday underwent two bronchoscopies after he had “two episodes of acute respiratory insufficiency,” the Holy See Press Office says in an evening statement.
The episodes were caused by “significant accumulation of endobronchial mucus and subsequent bronchospasm,” the statement says.
The bronchoscopies “were performed with the need for aspiration of copious secretions” and “noninvasive mechanical ventilation was resumed in the afternoon.”
His prognosis “remains reserved.”
The statement notes that the pope “remained alert, oriented, and cooperative at all times.”
Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, will lead the recitation of the holy rosary for Pope Francis’ health this evening at 9 p.m. in St. Peter’s Square, the Vatican announces.
The prayer gathering comes as the Holy Father continues to receive treatment after Vatican officials described his condition as “stable” but “complex” on Sunday. The most recent update Monday morning indicated the pope “rested well throughout the night.”
The Holy See Press Office issues a brief statement on Monday morning Rome time, confirming that “the pope rested well throughout the night.”
This update follows Sunday’s news that described Pope Francis’ condition as “stable” but still “complex” as he receives treatment. The pontiff has been receiving oxygen therapy but has not required mechanical ventilation.
Recovery for the 88-year-old Holy Father “will certainly not be imminent,” Vatican officials caution later in the morning.
Medical staff continue to monitor the Holy Father’s condition closely.
Pope Francis has not required mechanical ventilation as he continues to receive treatment for a “complex” medical situation, the Holy See Press Office tells journalists on Sunday evening.
“The clinical conditions of the Holy Father have remained stable throughout today; the pope has not required non-invasive mechanical ventilation, but only oxygen therapy with high flow,” the statement says, adding that the pontiff is without fever.
The Vatican also confirms that Pope Francis participated in Holy Mass in the hospital chapel on Sunday morning, then alternated between rest and prayer throughout the day. He also met officials after his morning coffee.
Vatican sources indicate the situation is more stable now, with the Sunday evening medical bulletin showing no direct consequences from Friday’s health crisis.
However, officials cautioned that “it remains a complex situation with risk of criticality.”
Faithful and members of religious orders from around the world continue to gather in front of Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, holding “marathon” prayer vigils for Pope Francis after his more than two-week hospitalization.
Faithful and religious people from around the world continue to gather in front of Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, holding “marathon” prayer vigils for Pope Francis's health on his 16th day of hospitalization.
