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TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Pope Francis, who has been hospitalized for two weeks with double pneumonia, is in a “stable” condition, after suffering a respiratory crisis the previous day, the Vatican said late Saturday, March 1, 2025, as reported by Channel NewsAsia.
“The clinical condition of the Holy Father remains stable,” the Vatican said.
The 88-year-old Catholic leader is still receiving oxygen, but has no fever, is eating, is alert and praying, the Holy See said in its regular Saturday evening announcement.
His hemodynamic parameters – which relate to blood flow – are also stable and Francis has no leukocytosis – a high white blood cell count that often indicates an infection – the Vatican said.
Pope Francis, leader of the world’s nearly 1.4 billion Catholics, was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital on February 14 with bronchitis. The illness soon developed into pneumonia in both lungs.
The Vatican reported last weekend that Francis was in a “critical” condition, suffering severe respiratory arrest and requiring a blood transfusion, sparking international concern.
Throughout the week there has been a series of gradual health improvements, but on Friday there was some worrying news.
“Pope Francis suffered an isolated bronchospasm crisis that caused episodes of vomiting on inhalation, and a sudden worsening of the respiratory picture,” the Vatican said at the time.
Doctors said it would take 24 to 48 hours to see if his condition worsened.
Andrea Ungar, a professor of geriatrics at the University of Florence, said Saturday that it appeared that vomit had entered the pope’s lungs, “aggravating the pneumonia.”
Such problems usually require reinforcement of antibiotics, ventilation and breathing exercises, he said.
He also agreed that the first 24 to 48 hours after an incident were crucial, adding that the pope would likely be hospitalized for a long time, “at least 10 days” in the most optimistic scenario.
Catholics around the world have been praying for Pope Francis, a liberal reformer who has led the Holy See for nearly 12 years.
On Saturday, pilgrims continued to visit the Gemelli hospital despite the rain, lighting candles and praying at the foot of a statue of former Pope John Paul II.
“I am very sad,” said Assunta Pandolfi, a retiree from Rome, but added that she was confident that Francis would recover.
About a dozen nuns also prayed for the pope, while handwritten messages for Francis were displayed, including posters illustrated by children, and balloons bearing the pope’s image.
“The whole world is worried,” said Cristina Funaro, noting that television crews from around the world had gathered outside the hospital.
RECOVERY WILL TAKE TIME
Pope Francis has continued to work from a special papal room on the 10th floor of the Gemelli Hospital, but his absence has fueled fresh speculation about his ability to lead the Catholic Church.
He has not been seen in public since the morning of his hospitalization, the fourth day of his 2021 stay and the longest of his papacy.
On Sunday, March 2, Francis will miss his weekly Angelus prayer for the third week in a row, and the Vatican said it would publish the text of the prayer instead.
The Jesuit priest, who had one of his lungs removed as a young man, has had a series of health problems in recent years.
In 2021, the Argentine priest underwent colon surgery and two years later underwent hernia surgery. He is also prone to bronchitis and suffers from hip and knee pain that has left him wheelchair-bound.
Pope Francis has always kept the option of resigning if his health declines, following the example of his predecessor, German theologian Benedict XVI, who stepped down in 2013.
Before his hospitalization, Francis had repeatedly said it was not yet time — and might never come.
But medical experts have warned that Francis’ age and health mean a sustained recovery will take time.
Pope Francis has a busy schedule, especially now as the Church celebrates a jubilee holy year, an event that is expected to draw tens of millions of pilgrims to Rome and the Vatican.
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