By Amanda Castro and Hannah Parry
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Pope Francis has suffered a serious setback in his two-week battle with double pneumonia.
The 88-year-old pontiff, who has been hospitalized in Rome since February 14, experienced a bronchial spasm on Friday that caused him to inhale vomit, requiring non-invasive mechanical ventilation, the Vatican announced.
Despite the incident, the pope is maintaining a good level of gas exchange and remaining conscious and alert throughout, according to the Vatican.
The sudden respiratory deterioration occurred in the early afternoon, prompting doctors to keep his prognosis guarded.
What to know
- The 88-year-old has been hospitalized at Rome's Gemelli since February 14.
- He was first sent to hospital suffering from bronchitis but this worsened into a chest infection, and he was later diagnosed with pneumonia.
- Francis' health had looked like it was improving in recent days and last week he had resumed some work activities and reading from his hospital bed.
- Multiple people, including a group of Nigerian nuns, are praying for Pope Francis outside of the hospital in Rome where he is being treated.
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Feb 28, 2025 at 06:05 PM EST
Pediatric cancer patients in pope’s hospital send him well-wishes
Pediatric cancer patients in the hospital where Pope Francis is being treated for pneumonia in both lungs sent him get-well notes, featuring heartwarming drawings, including one of the beloved kids cartoon character Peppa Pig.
The Holy See Press Office released photos of the get-well notes Francis has received from children in the pediatric oncology unit of Rome's Gemelli hospital, where the Holy Father is staying.
The Peppa Pig drawing below says, "For our healthy Pope Francis."
Another note below has a drawing of Francis with a peace sign, flowers and doves.
It reads: "Dear Papa Francesco, I hope you get discharged soon but I have to say that 'feeling' you so close even in these moments of physical distance makes me feel much better about this new healing path.
"Today I was impressed by a young woman from Albania and her daughter of five months. It is really true that in hospitals you understand the power of humanity! I wish to all the kids in the world to find a place without suffering, and that they find a path of true beauty. I pray for you, for the entire humanity and for me I pray for just a little but more courage. With Love Giulia."
Feb 28, 2025 at 05:40 PM EST
Pope’s hospital chaplain says ‘it’s time for hope against all hope’
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The chaplain of the Agostino Gemelli Hospital, where Pope Francis remains hospitalized, has called for faith and prayer, urging Catholics to embrace "hope against all hope" as concerns over the pontiff's health persist.
Father Nunzio Corrao, the chaplain at Gemelli, led a special prayer session for the pope on Monday, citing the words of St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans.
Francis was admitted to Rome's Gemelli hospital on February 14 after his bronchitis worsened. Physicians later identified a complex respiratory infection involving bacteria, viruses, and other organisms, which led to pneumonia in both lungs atop his asthmatic bronchitis. They have prescribed "absolute rest."
As the Vatican closely monitors Francis's health, the Catholic Church is rallying in prayer. Father Nunzio Corrao, the chaplain at Gemelli, led a special prayer session for the pope on Monday inside the St. John Paul II chapel.
"At this moment, I would like us to ask for the same faith as Abraham, the 'spes contra spem,' hope against all hope," Corrao said, according to the Italian news agency ANSA.
Read in full from Jesus Mesa on Newsweek.
Feb 28, 2025 at 05:17 PM EST
Who was pope prior to Pope Francis?
Benedict XVI served as pope before Francis. Benedict XVI was elected as pope in 2005 and resigned in 2013. He was known as "Pope emeritus" until his death in 2022.
Feb 28, 2025 at 05:05 PM EST
Who Is Bishop Strickland, and what did he say about the pope?
Strickland was appointed as bishop of the Diocese of Tyler in Texas by Pope Benedict XVI in 2012.
In 2018, Strickland released a statement supporting allegations against the pope by Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, the former Vatican ambassador to the United States. Viganò accused the pope of lifting ecclesial sanctions on Theodore McCarrick, a former cardinal found guilty of sexual assault.
In a 2020 interview with radio host Cy Kellett, Strickland said the slow release of the Vatican's report on McCarrick was "evil."
"If I get fired for saying that, for not being politically correct, go ahead and fire me," Strickland said.
Pope Francis removed Strickland after he refused to resign from office. The Dicastery for Bishops investigated "all aspects" of Strickland's governance and leadership and concluded that "the continuation in office of Bishop Strickland was not feasible." The department recommended that Strickland be asked to resign.
Feb 28, 2025 at 04:57 PM EST
Bishop removed by Pope Francis speaks out amid health problems
A bishop removed from his diocese by Pope Francis is "grateful" for everyone who has prayed for the pope amid his ongoing health battle.
"We must remember that praying for those in peril is who we are," Bishop Joseph Strickland wrote Tuesday on X, formerly Twitter.
Strickland is a vocal critic of Francis, who was removed from his diocese by the pope in 2023.
On Tuesday, Strickland took to social media to praise Cardinal Raymond Burke, who also publicly clashed with Francis after Burke prayed for the pope in St. Peter's Square.
"I'm grateful to Cardinal Burke and all those who gathered in prayer for our brother, Pope Francis," Strickland said.
Read in full from Jenna Sundel on Newsweek.
Feb 28, 2025 at 04:39 PM EST
What happens when a pope gets too sick to do the job?
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Pope Francis remains hospitalized with pneumonia but while clear procedures exist for the resignation or death of a pope, no specific laws define how leadership is handled if the leader of the Catholic Church is unconscious or unable to govern.
Despite being in the hospital, Francis remains officially in charge of the Vatican. Day-to-day operations continue under the leadership of Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin and other top officials. Key Vatican functions, such as preparations for the 2025 Holy Year celebrations, remain unaffected.
Francis confirmed in 2022 that he had written a letter of resignation in case he became medically incapacitated, handing it to then Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone. However, the letter's contents remain undisclosed and it is unclear if such a document would be legally binding under canon law. Papal resignations must be "freely and properly manifested," as was the case when Benedict XVI resigned in 2013.
Canon law currently lacks provisions addressing what happens if a pope becomes permanently incapacitated. While bishops have procedures in place for stepping aside due to illness, no equivalent guidelines exist for the papacy.
Read in full from Daniel Orton on Newsweek.
Feb 28, 2025 at 04:18 PM EST
Regular social media user Pope Francis has not posted on X in three days
Pope Francis, who is a regular social media user, often posting several times a day, has not shared a post on X in three days.
His last post focused on the upcoming Lent period, as he offered "several reflections on what it means to 'journey together in hope' and discover the summons to conversion that God's mercy addresses to each one of us."
Last week, Francis thanked supporters for their "many messages of affection."
Feb 28, 2025 at 04:13 PM EST
Pope Francis ally in Washington criticizes Trump immigration policy
Cardinal Robert McElroy, the next Archbishop of Washington, D.C., has called for dignity and compassion for migrants amid ICE deportation raids.
McElroy, who has served as the bishop of the Diocese of San Diego for over a decade, criticized the removal of immunity for houses of worship from immigration enforcement, calling it a "deep moral question."
"When these places become targets of ICE raids, it strikes fear in everyone's hearts, and it acts as a deterrent to people going to church and freely worshipping or going to schools," he told a news conference at the Diocese of San Diego on Thursday. "That's why it's so deadly."
Read in full from Daniel Orton on Newsweek.
Feb 28, 2025 at 03:49 PM EST
Vance addresses immigration tensions with Catholic leaders at National Catholic Prayer Breakfast
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Vice President JD Vance sought to ease tensions over recent remarks about the Trump administration's immigration policies, which have drawn criticism from Catholic bishops and Pope Francis. Speaking at the 20th annual National Catholic Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C., Vance emphasized that he doesn't believe in public disputes among Christians and expressed his belief in Pope Francis' care for his flock.
Vance's comments come amid weeks of conflict between Catholic leaders and the Trump administration over policies, including sending illegal immigrants to Guantanamo Bay and actions against birthright citizenship. The vice president criticized U.S. bishops for not supporting enforcement measures that align with the will of the American people and urged them to do better.
In response to recent criticism from Pope Francis, who condemned the U.S. immigration policies in a letter, Vance defended his position and addressed the bishops directly, acknowledging differences while stressing his goal of articulating a Christian approach to public life. Outside the event, protesters gathered, voicing opposition to the administration's stance on immigration, with some Catholic advocates stressing the dignity of all human beings.
Feb 28, 2025 at 03:30 PM EST
Francis simplifies funeral rites, focusing on humility
Pope Francis, known for his unpretentious approach to the papacy, has made significant changes to the traditional funeral rites, keeping his emphasis on simplicity and humility. In a 2024 revision of the funeral process, he has opted to forgo the elaborate ceremonial elements that have characterized past papal funerals.
Since the 13th century, the bodies of popes have been displayed on a raised pedestal for public viewing. However, Francis has decided against this, choosing instead to have his body placed in a coffin in St. Peter's Basilica, where thousands will pay their respects. Unlike past practices, there will be no elevated display, highlighting his commitment to humility over glorification, as explained by church historian Agostino Paravicini Bagliani.
The timing and arrangements for the public viewing will be decided by the College of Cardinals, with the camerlengo overseeing the procession.
Feb 28, 2025 at 03:08 PM EST
In the event of a pope’s death
While Pope Francis' fate remains uncertain, the Vatican is preparing for the time-honored rituals that follow the death of a pope, ensuring a smooth and secretive transition of power. These age-old traditions have been refined over centuries to maintain order during the church's most dramatic moment of change.
The death is confirmed by the head of the Vatican's health department and the cardinal chamberlain, the Vatican's de facto administrator. Currently, the camerlengo is Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, a 77-year-old American of Irish origin. He, along with other officials and the pope's family, participates in a ceremony in the pope's private chapel, where the body is dressed in a white cassock and placed in a wooden coffin lined with zinc.
Following the ceremony, the camerlengo drafts a document to authenticate the pope's death, and secures the pontiff's private papers, sealing his apartments. In the case of Pope Francis, these apartments are located at the Casa Santa Marta, the Vatican guesthouse where he has resided during his papacy. The ceremonial destruction of the papal fisherman's ring follows, ensuring no forged documents can be issued in the pope's name.
Feb 28, 2025 at 02:52 PM EST
More about Pope Francis’ setback in pneumonia recovery
Pope Francis faced a setback in his ongoing battle against double pneumonia on Friday, following a coughing fit that led to him inhaling vomit. The 88-year-old pontiff required non-invasive mechanical ventilation but remained conscious, alert, and cooperative throughout the procedure. The Vatican confirmed that the Pope responded well to the treatment and was receiving supplemental oxygen through a mask.
The episode, described as an "isolated crisis of bronchial spasm," occurred in the early afternoon and led to a worsening of his respiratory condition. While doctors did not describe him as being in critical condition, they indicated that further monitoring would be necessary over the next 24 to 48 hours to assess any long-term effects.
This incident marks a reversal in what had been two days of positive updates about his condition. Despite this, the Vatican has continued to show cautious optimism, with alternative plans already in place for Ash Wednesday on March 5. Cardinal Angelo De Donatis will preside over the ceremony in place of the Pope. The Vatican also highlighted that Francis continues to work from the hospital, having signed a document earlier this week.
Feb 28, 2025 at 02:39 PM EST
Respiratory infections a significant risk for older adults, experts caution
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For older adults, respiratory infections can be particularly harmful due to a weakened immune system, which is less effective at fighting off viruses and bacteria. In addition, the body's response to common vaccinations, like those for the flu, tends to be less robust. Aging also causes the lungs to become less flexible, and breathing muscles weaken, making it harder for the body to recover from illness.
The Pope has a history of respiratory challenges, including losing part of his lung due to a severe pneumonia infection when he was younger. Older adults also often experience other chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and kidney problems, which can make it harder for the body to combat infections. Furthermore, a lack of physical activity and poor nutrition are common in the elderly, adding to the risks posed by respiratory illnesses.
Feb 28, 2025 at 02:19 PM EST
Pope continues treatment for pneumonia after multiple health setbacks
Pope Francis, who was admitted to the hospital on February 14 for bronchitis, is still under medical care after developing additional health complications. Initially diagnosed with a viral infection causing inflammation in his lungs, the Pope later developed pneumonia in both lungs, requiring further treatment. During his hospitalization, he also suffered an "asthma-like respiratory crisis" and low platelet levels, which led to blood transfusions.
Despite these challenges, the Vatican reported on February 28 that the Pope remains alert, joking, and continuing his work while reading messages of support from around the world. His doctors have noted a slight improvement in his condition, including a report of "mild kidney failure" being under control. The Pope's ability to carry out his public duties, such as Sunday prayers, has been temporarily suspended as he focuses on recovery.
Medical experts suggest the Pope's condition is not unusual for older adults, with setbacks often following periods of recovery.
"The trajectory we're seeing with the Pope is not uncommon: where he has a good day, then develops a secondary infection and a setback," says Dr. Panagis Galiatsatos, associate professor of medicine and a pulmonary and critical care doctor at Johns Hopkins to Time. "If the Pope can teach us anything, it's recognizing how vulnerable older adults are."
Feb 28, 2025 at 02:09 PM EST
Pope Francis placed on breathing machine after respiratory episode
Pope Francis experienced a sudden episode of respiratory difficulty on Friday and was placed on a breathing machine, according to the latest medical update from the Vatican.
The episode was complicated by vomiting, some of which was aspirated. Medical staff addressed the aspiration before putting the pope on mechanical ventilation.
The Vatican said that Pope Francis remained alert and oriented throughout the episode.
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