Pope Francis to Stay in Hospital Due to ‘Complex Clinical Picture’

• Feb 17, 2025

Pope Francis, 88, will remain in the hospital for as long as necessary, following a recent series of tests revealing a “complex clinical picture,” the Vatican announced. The pontiff was admitted to Rome's Gemelli hospital on Friday after his bronchitis worsened, and he was diagnosed with a respiratory tract infection.

According to the Vatican, the results from tests conducted in recent days showed that Pope Francis is suffering from a polymicrobial infection of the respiratory tract, which has led to adjustments in his treatment plan. A polymicrobial infection is caused by multiple types of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, or fungi. The Vatican’s statement emphasized that all tests conducted thus far indicate a complex condition that will require an extended hospital stay.

The pope's weekly general audience on Wednesday has been canceled. An update on his condition is expected later today.

Despite his hospitalization, Pope Francis maintained his usual routine of phone calls to the Holy Family church in Gaza on Friday and Saturday, though his voice was slightly fatigued. A church manager noted that while he was in good spirits, he seemed tired, and no calls were made on Sunday as he rested.

Before being admitted to the hospital, the pope held several meetings on Friday morning, including with CNN’s CEO, Mark Thompson. Reports indicated that while he remained mentally alert, he struggled to speak for extended periods due to breathing difficulties.

Pope Francis has faced various health challenges in recent years. In March 2023, he was hospitalized with acute bronchitis, later remarking, "I am still alive" after his discharge. He was also readmitted to Gemelli for routine health checks in June 2023 and again in February 2024 after catching a cold.

In his younger years, Pope Francis underwent surgery to remove part of his lung while training to be a priest in Argentina. He also had a colon operation in June 2021. Recently, he has been seen using a wheelchair or walking stick due to sciatic nerve pain and knee issues. In December, he suffered a fall, injuring his chin, and in January, he fractured his right forearm after another fall at his residence. He also stumbled in early February when his walking stick broke while entering the Vatican auditorium.