pope-francis-continues-to-rest-in-hospital-as-vaticans-holy-year-proceeds-without-him

Sarah Johnson
March 9, 2025
Brief
Pope Francis remains hospitalized with double pneumonia as the Vatican's Holy Year celebrations continue, drawing pilgrims and prayers for his recovery amid ongoing church events.
Pope Francis remains hospitalized as he recovers from double pneumonia, while the Vatican continues its Holy Year celebrations without him. The Vatican reported on Saturday morning that "the night passed quietly, the pope is resting."
It has now been three weeks since the 88-year-old pontiff was admitted to Rome's Gemelli Hospital on February 14. Initially suffering from bronchitis, his condition escalated, leading to a diagnosis of a complex respiratory tract infection involving viral, bacterial, and fungal components, eventually resulting in pneumonia in both lungs.
The Vatican's Jubilee celebrations—a once-every-25-years Holy Year—are ongoing, drawing pilgrims from across the globe to Rome. This weekend, the focus is on celebrating volunteers, many of whom are extending their stay to offer prayers for Pope Francis outside the hospital. On Sunday, Canadian Cardinal Michael Czerny will lead the Holy Year Mass.
Despite his condition, Francis managed to spend 20 minutes in the hospital chapel on Friday, praying and working briefly between his respiratory and physical therapy sessions.
The pope continues to rely on high-flow supplemental oxygen during the day and uses a noninvasive mechanical ventilation mask at night to aid his breathing. Earlier this week, he experienced acute respiratory failure and underwent bronchoscopies to remove mucus from his lungs. His chronic lung condition, compounded by the removal of part of one lung in his youth, complicates his recovery.
As the world prays for his health, the Vatican remains in full swing with its Holy Year activities, a testament to the church's resilience and the pope's enduring influence even in his absence.
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Editor's Comments
It’s extraordinary how Pope Francis, even while battling such a serious illness, still found the strength to pray and work in the hospital chapel. That’s commitment on a level most of us can only aspire to. But honestly, it’s also a stark reminder of the toll that leadership can take on health, especially when combined with pre-existing conditions. The Vatican’s ability to carry on its Holy Year celebrations is impressive, but you can’t help wondering how much the pope's absence weighs on the faithful gathered in Rome.
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