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By Gabe Whisnant
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Pope Francis has shown slight further improvement in his battle with double pneumonia, though doctors maintained Wednesday evening that his prognosis remains guarded.
A chest CT scan taken Tuesday evening showed the infection progressing normally under treatment, according to the Vatican's latest update. The 88-year-old pope, who had part of one lung removed in his youth, continues to receive high-flow supplemental oxygen, but has not experienced further respiratory crises since Saturday.
Blood tests, which previously indicated low platelet counts and anemia, have now confirmed improvement, and a mild kidney insufficiency detected earlier has subsided.
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Context
As leader of the Catholic Church, Francis' health remains a central concern for the more than 1.3 billion Catholics worldwide. His hospitalization marks the latest in a series of health challenges he has faced in recent years, raising questions about his ability to continue fulfilling his demanding role.
During his tenure, Francis has focused on modernizing the Church, pushed for social justice and addressed global issues such as climate change and migration. His influence extends beyond religious communities, making his health a matter of global interest.
What To Know
For the first time, the Vatican confirmed Wednesday that Francis is undergoing respiratory physiotherapy to help clear fluid from his lungs, marking a new aspect of his treatment.
Hospitalized in critical condition since February 14 due to a complex lung infection, Francis, who has chronic lung disease, was admitted to Rome's Gemelli hospital after a worsening bout of bronchitis. While doctors did not explicitly repeat that he remains in critical condition, they emphasized that his prognosis is still uncertain.
Despite his illness, Francis resumed work from his hospital room Wednesday afternoon after receiving the Eucharist in the morning. The Vatican also announced that he had appointed four new bishops and approved the creation of a new fundraising initiative to support donations to the Holy See, which has faced financial struggles for years.
While the bishop appointments and fundraising rules were likely approved before his hospitalization on February 11, their official announcement suggests that Francis remains actively governing the church.
Despite his condition, Francis has remained active in overseeing Church governance. On Tuesday, he met with senior advisers and made several administrative decisions.
Meanwhile, Romans and visitors gathered in St. Peter's Square for the nightly Rosary prayer, led by Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle.
What People Are Saying
On Wednesday, Bishop Gerardo Villalonga from Menorca, Spain led a group of 50 pilgrims to the site, saying they wanted to be as close to him as possible: "Because when a family has someone who is sick it is very important that they are surrounded, it is necessary that everyone is near to them, and all the people of God are close the pope," he said.
At dusk, trumpeter Felice Carella and singer Davide Capuano serenaded the pope with a rendition of Schubert's Ave Maria under his window: "For me this is not a simple song, this is a big prayer for the pope so that he will better," Capuano said. "These are terrible days and I hope the whole world can pray together with us."
What Happens Next
Pope Francis will remain under close observation at the hospital as he continues his treatment. Vatican officials have not indicated when he might be discharged, but medical experts emphasize that rest and isolation will be crucial for his recuperation.
Update: 2/26/25, 1 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
Update: 2/26/25, 5 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
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