Pope Francis in critical condition following long 'respiratory crisis,' Vatican reports

Pope Francis is the 266th Pope in the history of the church. He started his papacy in 2013, which means he has been the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State for more than a decade, 12 years to be exact. Pope Francis is 88 years of age and in recent years, he has been experiencing certain health issues.

On February 6, the Vatican announced that Pope Francis was suffering from bronchitis. In the following days, Pope Francis was admitted to the Gemelli University Hospital on February 14, 2025. He was being treated for his bronchitis and later, he was diagnosed with a polymicrobial infection. Now, the Pope is being treated for double pneumonia.

The Pope has been in the hospital for more than a week now and in one of the most recent statements, they said he is,

"feeling more unwell than yesterday" the Vatican stated.

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More details on Pope Francis' hospitalization

The Pope has been complaining of difficulty in breathing and speaking prior to his hospitalization. Whenever he had to appear in public or make any speeches, he had someone read out the speeches he had prepared.

During his week-long hospitalization, Pope Francis has also gotten blood transfusions done because of his anemia and high-flow oxygen. However, despite his condition, the Vatican has reported that the Pope is conscious and he is still spending the majority of his day in an armchair, rather than staying in bed.

The Vatican reveals more information about the Pope's condition. They said that his prognosis is "guarded."

"The Holy Father's condition remains critical... The Pope is not out of danger" the Vatican statement continued.

With old age comes many health complications and in recent years, Pope Francis has been in and out of the Gemelli University Hospital for various reasons and causes. Last year, he was admitted for flu-like symptoms. In March 2023, the Pope had a similar case of bronchitis.

In June 2023, he was admitted for abdominal surgery and he was in the hospital for nine days. One of the most recent accidents he had was a fall in December and in January.

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Because of the Pope's age and history of lung disease, the doctors fear an onset of sepsis. The Pope is conscious, eating, and working, even from the hospital. However, the members of the Vatican are praying and looking forward to the Pope's full recovery from the respiratory illness he is currently battling.