What started as a cold on February 5 during the Wednesday general audience…
POPE FRANCIS
I want to apologize because with this severe cold it is difficult for me to speak. That is why I asked my brother to read the catechesis. He will read it better than me.
…developed into bronchitis, forcing Pope Francis to relocate all his meetings for over a week to his residence at Casa Santa Marta instead of holding them at the Apostolic Palace.
I am sick. I have a very bad bronchitis.
Despite these precautionary measures to protect him from the cold and other factors that could worsen his condition, the Pope had to be admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on February 14.
Still, this was his appearance shortly before being hospitalized. That morning, he managed to hold up to five official meetings. In fact, despite being unwell, the Pope never canceled his schedule.
The first information from the Vatican stated that the reason for his hospitalization was to undergo necessary medical tests and continue his bronchitis treatment at the hospital.
It was a surprise for many patients and visitors at the roman hospital that day. Everyone wished the Pope a speedy recovery.
My only hope is that everything goes well. Fingers crossed. And that everything turns out fine. We still need a man like him.
Yes, I heard the Pope was admitted. I’m very sorry, we will pray for him.
I imagine it’s something that will be resolved in a few days. That’s the information we have, so I hope, as always, that the Pope will recover soon.
That weekend, it was confirmed that Pope Francis had a respiratory tract infection. He had a slight fever, and doctors prescribed complete rest while adjusting his treatment.
On Monday, February 17, after further tests, doctors determined that his infection was polymicrobial, meaning a combination of bacteria had colonized the Pope’s lung tissue. His treatment was adjusted once again.
The Vatican also noted that the pontiff presented a complex clinical picture, meaning that his condition was not limited to this infection alone—other factors could also be significant.
DR. JOSÉ MARÍA ARAQUISTÁIN
Doctor, Parioli Medical Center (Rome)
The patient’s situation isn’t just about the current illness. A young person with the flu simply has the flu—there’s no underlying complexity if they’re otherwise healthy. But an 88-year-old man, like the Pope, who has undergone a lobectomy, meaning he is missing part of a lung… Well, along with stress and everything else, that makes it a complex condition.
The Pope’s health became more complicated the following day when doctors diagnosed him with bilateral pneumonia—affecting both lungs—requiring an additional pharmacological therapy alongside his previous treatment of antibiotics and corticosteroids.
Pope Francis responded positively to all medications. In fact, Vatican sources reported that he was breathing without a mask, that his heart was reacting well, and that the treatment for his infection had not caused any complications.
Additionally, they clarified that his pneumonia does not affect both lungs entirely but consists of localized patches.
Beyond the medical updates, official statements confirmed that the Pope was in good spirits, reading newspapers, resuming some of his work, and even making a small but significant improvement—he was no longer confined to bed and could now sit in a chair.
DR. JOSÉ MARÍA ARAQUISTÁIN
Doctor, Parioli Medical Center (Rome)
If it’s true, as I assume it is, that the spokesperson says he slept well, has no fever, and has been reading the newspaper, these are very reassuring signs. When someone is seriously ill, they’re not in a condition to do all these things.
Proof of this was that Pope Francis received a private visit at the hospital. He spent 20 minutes with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who remarked that the Pope was engaged and even shared some jokes during their conversation.
The Pope seems to be gradually improving, although he does not yet have a discharge date. It will take a few more days to see how he continues responding to the treatments.
CA
TR: SA
