Pope Francis, at 88 years old, has been diagnosed with pneumonia affecting both lungs, with the Vatican describing his health as “complex.” The pontiff, who has been contending with a respiratory infection for more than a week, was taken to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital last Friday for additional care.
According to the Vatican’s announcement, a chest CT scan performed on Friday showed the early stages of bilateral pneumonia, leading to a change in his medication plan. Laboratory tests and a chest X-ray, along with the Pope’s general clinical state, continue to present a challenging situation.
In spite of his health difficulties, the Vatican pointed out that Pope Francis remains in “good spirits,” spending his days engaged in reading, resting, and praying. He has also shown appreciation for the well-wishes he has received and has requested that people “pray for him.”
Prior to his hospitalization, the Pope had been facing bronchitis symptoms for several days, which subsequently led him to delegate his official responsibilities and have others read his prepared speeches during public appearances. The pontiff was planned to take part in several significant events for the 2025 Catholic Holy Year, which is scheduled to run until January. However, all of the Pope’s public engagements have been suspended through Sunday because of his health.
On Monday, the Vatican disclosed that the Pope’s treatment plan had undergone a second adjustment since his admission to the hospital, as doctors had initially thought he was experiencing a “polymicrobial infection of the respiratory tract.”
Due to a history of pleurisy and having had part of one lung removed when he was 21, Pope Francis is especially susceptible to lung infections. This situation represents the latest in a series of hospital visits for the Pope, who has been hospitalized multiple times during his time as pontiff. Most notably, in March 2023, he spent several nights in the hospital receiving treatment for bronchitis.
