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  • Pope Francis discharged from Rome hospital

    Pope Francis discharged from Rome hospital

    Pope Francis has appeared at his window of the Gemelli hospital in Rome and offered a blessing for the first time since being admitted on 14 February.

    The 88-year-old pontiff was discharged minutes later and doctors say he will need at least two months of rest at the Vatican.

    During the past five weeks, he presented “two very critical episodes” where his “life was in danger”, Dr Sergio Alfieri, one of the doctors treating the Pope, said.

    Pope Francis was never intubated and always remained alert and oriented, Dr Alfieri said. Even though the Pope is not completely healed, he no longer has pneumonia and will return to work as soon as possible, if the trend continues, doctors say.

    APTN Pope Francis waves at crowds from the balcony of his suite at Gemelli hospital in Rome. APTN

    A crowd of people gathered outside the hospital on Sunday, waiting for the Pope to appear.

    “When I saw him I felt, to be honest, a little relieved,” said Bishop Larry Kulick, from the Diocese of Greensburg in the US state of Pennsylvania. “I felt just overjoyed to see him.”

    “I cried all the time because the love we breathe in this little square of this hospital was like heaven,” said Ilaria Della Bidia, a singer from Rome.

    Ana Matos from Brazil said she “just arrived from Brazil today” and arrived outside the hospital “30 seconds before he appeared”. She said that “it was an amazing feeling, like when I had my son. I was so happy to see him healthy and I could see him smile”.

    The Pope had only previously been seen by the public once since he was admitted to hospital, in a photograph released by the Vatican last week, which showed him praying in a hospital chapel.

    Earlier this month, an audio recording of Pope Francis was played in St Peter’s Square in Vatican City.

    His voice was breathless as he thanked the Catholic faithful for their prayers.

    Pope Francis has spent 12 years as leader of the Roman Catholic Church.

    He has suffered a number of health issues throughout his life, including having part of one of his lungs removed at age 21, making him more prone to infections.

    [BBC]

  • Pope Francis to be discharged from hospital on Sunday

    Pope Francis to be discharged from hospital on Sunday

    Pope Francis will be discharged from Rome’s Gemelli hospital on Sunday, doctors treating him have said.

    The 88-year-old has been recovering from double pneumonia and will need at least two months of rest at the Vatican after leaving hospital.

    He has only been seen by the public once since he was admitted to hospital on 14 February, in a photograph released by the Vatican last week, which showed him praying in a hospital chapel.

    The Vatican had said on Friday that the Pope’s condition was improving, although one official said he may have to “relearn to speak” following his prolonged use of high-flow oxygen therapy.

    “The pope is doing very well, but high-flow oxygen dries everything out. He needs to relearn how to speak, but his overall physical condition is as it was before,” Cardinal Victor Fernandez said on Friday, Reuters reported.

    The Vatican on Friday had added that the pope’s condition was stable, with some improvements in breathing and mobility.

    It confirmed he no longer uses mechanical ventilation for breathing at night, but was instead receiving oxygen via a small tube under his nose. During the day, he is using less high-flow oxygen.

    Earlier this month, an audio recording of Pope Francis speaking in his native Spanish was played in St Peter’s Square in Vatican City.

    His voice was breathless as he thanked the Catholic faithful for their prayers.

    The Cardinal, who is head of the Vatican’s doctrinal office, dismissed speculation that the pontiff would follow his predecessor Benedict XVI and resign the papacy.

    When asked if he thought the pope could be discharged in time for Easter which falls on 20 April, the Cardinal said he did not know.

    Pope Francis has spent nearly 12 years as leader of the Roman Catholic Church.

    He has suffered a number of health issues throughout his life, including having part of one of his lungs removed at age 21, making him more prone to infections.

  • Pope Francis seen for first time since going to hospital

    Pope Francis seen for first time since going to hospital

    The Vatican has released the first image of Pope Francis since he was admitted to hospital a month ago.

    The photo shows the pontiff sitting in a wheelchair in front of an altar at a chapel in Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, where he has been recovering from pneumonia.

    Earlier on Sunday, in his written Angelus message, the Pope said he faces a “period of trial” as he thanked well-wishers for their prayers and prayed for peace in “countries wounded by war”.

    It marked the fifth Sunday in a row that the Pope was not present in person for his weekly blessing. The Vatican said earlier this week an X-ray had confirmed “improvements” in his condition, but he still needs hospital treatment.

    “The Holy Father still requires hospital medical therapy, motor and respiratory physiotherapy,” it said in a statement on Saturday, adding that they are “showing further, gradual improvements”.

    Pope Francis, 88, has not been seen in public since his admission to hospital on 14 February, and until Sunday, no photographs had been released.

    “I join with so many brothers and sisters who are sick: fragile, at this time, like me,” the Pope said in his latest statement, earlier in the day.

    “Let us continue to pray for peace, especially in the countries wounded by war: tormented Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, Myanmar, Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.”

    Since his arrival in Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, the Pope has been treated for double pneumonia and other infections.

    He has also suffered several respiratory crises, which has raised concerns about his survival.

    Earlier on this month, an audio recording of Pope Francis speaking in his native Spanish was played in St Peter’s Square in Vatican City.

    His voice was breathless as he thanked the Catholic faithful for their prayers.

    Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, is the first Pope from the Americas.

    He contracted pleurisy as a young man and had a partial lung removal, which has left him particularly vulnerable to pneumonia.

    As a result of his long load to recovery, there has been speculation that Pope Francis could choose to follow his predecessor Benedict XVI and resign the papacy.

    But friends and biographers close to the Pope have insisted that he has no plans to step down. And, despite his fragile health, the pontiff has continued his work from hospital.

    This year is a Catholic Holy Year, with 32 million pilgrims expected to travel to Rome.

  • Pope Francis thanks medical staff for ‘tender’ care

    Pope Francis thanks medical staff for ‘tender’ care

    Pope Francis, who has been battling pneumonia and bronchitis for over three weeks, has expressed gratitude to the medical staff caring for him, commending their “tender” care.  

    For the fourth consecutive Sunday, the Argentine Pontiff was unable to deliver his weekly blessing in person, but the Vatican released a prepared text on his behalf.

    “While I am here, I think of the many people who are close to the sick,” he wrote, describing them as “bringing a little light into the night of pain.”

    The Vatican announced on Saturday that the Pope had shown a “good response” to treatment in recent days at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital.

    “The clinical condition of the Holy Father has remained stable, indicating a good response to the treatment,” the Vatican said, adding that there has been a “gradual, slight improvement.”

    In his message, Pope Francis reflected on the care he received, expressing heartfelt thanks to the doctors and healthcare workers for their “thoughtfulness of service and the tenderness of care.”

    He highlighted the importance of those who support the sick, describing them as a “sign of the Lord’s presence” and emphasizing the need for the “miracle of tenderness” to bring comfort during adversity.

    On Sunday evening, the Pope participated via video link in “spiritual exercises” for senior Catholic clerics, an annual period of reflection led by a preacher. While he joined as a “recipient,” the Pope was not visible on the video feed.

    Earlier on Saturday, the 88-year-old prayed in the chapel of the papal suite at Gemelli Hospital.

    Pope Francis has not made a public appearance since being hospitalized on February 14, marking his longest absence from the public eye since his papacy began 12 years ago.

    He was admitted after experiencing breathing difficulties and initially treated for bronchitis before being diagnosed with pneumonia in both lungs. His medical history, including pleurisy as a young man that required partial lung removal, makes him particularly vulnerable to lung infections.

    Doctors believe the Pope faces a prolonged recovery due to his age and underlying health conditions.

  • Pope still stable after respiratory failure, says Vatican

    Pope still stable after respiratory failure, says Vatican

    Pope Francis has remained stable after suffering two episodes of respiratory failure on Monday.

    In its nightly update, the Vatican said the Pope did not present any furthe episodes of respiratory failure or bronchospasm.

    “He remained afebrile, always alert, cooperative with therapies and well-oriented”, the statement said.

    The 88-year-old pontiff has been in hospital since mid-February undergoing treatment for pneumonia.

    After Monday’s episodes, the Pope had begun using an oxygen mask and ventilator to assist his breathing.

    It was the second time the mechanical intervention had been used, after spending two days on the ventilator following an “isolated” breathing crisis involving vomiting on Friday, the Vatican said.

     

    In Tuesday’s update, the Holy See said Pope Francis had switched back to high-flow oxygen therapy.

    During the day he alternated prayer and rest and this morning he received the Eucharist, it added.

    Pope Francis is due to miss the procession and mass on Wednesday that marks the first day of Lent, the six-week period leading to Easter.

    He has been unable to deliver his traditional Angelus prayer in person on each of the last three Sundays.

    The Pope was admitted to hospital on 14 February after experiencing breathing difficulties for several days.

    He was first treated for bronchitis before being diagnosed with pneumonia in both lungs.

    The pontiff is particularly susceptible to pneumonia, an infection of the lungs that can be caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi, after he contracted pleurisy – an inflammation of the lungs – as a young man and had a partial lung removal.

    Vatican sources stress, as they have all along, that the Pope’s condition remains complex – his doctors remain cautious – and he is not out of danger.

    [BBC]

  • Pope has ‘isolated’ breathing crisis in hospital, says Vatican

    Pope has ‘isolated’ breathing crisis in hospital, says Vatican

    Pope Francis, who has been battling pneumonia for two weeks, has had an “isolated” breathing crisis in hospital, the Vatican has said.

    It led to an episode of vomiting and a “sudden worsening of his respiratory condition” on Friday following the coughing “bronchospasm”.

    The 88-year-old’s lungs had to be aspirated – cleared of the vomit – and he is now receiving gas through a face mask to help him breathe.

    Vatican sources say the Pope’s doctors need 24-48 hours to determine whether there has been any damage or set back to his condition. For now they are not giving any prognosis.

    The Pope remains alert and “in good spirits”, the sources say.

    In a statement the Vatican said: “In the early afternoon of today, after a morning spent alternating respiratory physiotherapy with prayer in the chapel, the Holy Father presented an isolated crisis of bronchospasm which, however, led to an episode of vomiting with inhalation and sudden worsening of the respiratory condition.

    “The Holy Father was promptly bronchoaspirated and began non-invasive mechanical ventilation, with a good response to gas exchange.”

    Vatican sources said the latest crisis happened at around 14:00 local time, but did not say how long it lasted.

    This latest episode comes after a couple of days in which Vatican statements had been slightly more positive, talking of a “slight improvement” in the pontiff’s condition.

    This morning he was given Communion.

    In an earlier medical update this morning, the Vatican had said the pontiff was showing signs of improvement and would remain in Rome’s Gemelli Hospital due to the complex clinical picture.

    The Pope was admitted to hospital on 14 February after experiencing breathing difficulties for several days.

    He was first treated for bronchitis before being diagnosed with pneumonia in both lungs.

    Then, on 22 February, the Vatican said that the Pope had experienced a respiratory crisis and was in a “critical” condition, but later on Sunday released an update saying that he had “not presented any further respiratory crises”.

    The following day, the Pope issued a statement asking Catholics to pray for him after he was unable to deliver the traditional Angelus prayer in person for the second week running.

    But, while the Vatican said the Pope’s health is improving, it added that “further days of clinical stability are necessary to resolve the prognosis”.

    The pontiff is particularly susceptible to pneumonia, an infection of the lungs that can be caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi, after he contracted pleurisy – an inflammation of the lungs – as a young man and had a partial lung removal.

    The leader of the Roman Catholic Church has been admitted to hospital multiple times during his 12-year tenure, including being treated for bronchitis at the same hospital in March 2023.

    From Argentina, Pope Francis is the first Latin American, and first Jesuit, to lead the Roman Catholic Church.

    [BBC]

  • Pope’s night in hospital went well, says Vatican

    Pope’s night in hospital went well, says Vatican

    Pope Francis is resting but remains in a “critical” condition due to respiratory and kidney complications, the Vatican announced on Monday.

    According to a morning statement, “The night went well, the Pope slept and is resting,” following an earlier Sunday update that noted he is still receiving high-flow oxygen therapy and has undergone blood transfusions.

    Medical tests have revealed “initial, mild renal insufficiency,” a kidney condition that is currently under control, the Vatican added.

    The Pope was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on February 14 after experiencing breathing difficulties for several days. He was initially treated for bronchitis before being diagnosed with pneumonia affecting both lungs.

    On Sunday, the Vatican also reported that Pope Francis’s thrombocytopenia, a condition characterized by a low platelet count, remained stable.

    That morning, the Pope “participated in the Holy Mass, together with those who are taking care of him during these days”, the statement continued.

    The Vatican did not offer a prognosis, given the “complexity of the clinical picture”.

    On Saturday, the Vatican reported that Pope Francis had experienced a respiratory crisis and was in “critical” condition. However, by Sunday, an update clarified that the pontiff had “not presented any further respiratory crises.”

    Earlier that day, Pope Francis issued a statement requesting prayers from Catholics after being unable to deliver the traditional Angelus prayer in person for the second consecutive week.

    The Pope’s susceptibility to pneumonia—a lung infection caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi—is linked to his history of pleurisy, a lung inflammation he suffered as a young man, which led to the partial removal of one lung.

    During his 12-year papacy, the 86-year-old leader of the Roman Catholic Church has faced several hospitalizations, including treatment for bronchitis at the same Rome hospital in March 2023.

    As the first Latin American and Jesuit to lead the Church, Pope Francis continues to draw global attention and prayers during his health struggles.

  • Pope Francis remains in Hospital as Health concerns grow

    Pope Francis remains in Hospital as Health concerns grow

    Pope Francis spent his tenth day in hospital on Sunday as Catholics worldwide prayed for his recovery, following the Vatican’s warning that his condition remains “critical.”

    The 88-year-old pontiff, suffering from double pneumonia, experienced a severe asthma-like attack on Saturday and required blood transfusions due to a low platelet count.

    On Sunday morning, the Vatican stated that “the night passed peacefully, the pope rested,” suggesting no further deterioration. However, he remains on oxygen support at Rome’s Gemelli hospital.

    In a message written earlier but published on Sunday, Francis expressed gratitude to hospital staff and confidence in his treatment.

    “I am continuing my hospitalisation at Gemelli, undergoing necessary treatment—and rest is also part of the therapy! I ask you to pray for me,” he said.

    ‘Suffering More’

    The Pope was first admitted on 14 February with bronchitis, but his condition has since worsened.

    On Saturday evening, the Vatican warned that he remains in a critical state, adding that he was alert but experiencing increased discomfort.

    He reportedly suffered a “prolonged asthmatic respiratory crisis” requiring high-flow oxygen and daily blood tests revealed thrombocytopenia—low platelet levels—which led to blood transfusions.

    Italian newspapers highlighted concerns, with Corriere della Sera headlining “The Pope Gets Worse” and La Repubblica calling it the Vatican’s “darkest day.”

    Global Prayers and Speculation

    Well-wishers have gathered outside Gemelli hospital, lighting candles, while a special mass was held in Rome on Sunday evening.

    Messages of support have come from around the world, including from Buenos Aires, where Francis once served as archbishop, and Mosul, Iraq, where churches held prayers for him.

    Mexico’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum, also wished him a speedy recovery, calling him a “great humanist.”

    Francis’s prolonged hospital stay has sparked concerns not only about his health but also speculation over whether he might step down.

    Although he has acknowledged the possibility of resigning, following the precedent set by Benedict XVI in 2013, he has repeatedly stated that now is not the time.

    Despite his health struggles, including past surgeries and ongoing mobility issues, the Pope has maintained a demanding schedule, most recently completing a 12-day tour of the Asia-Pacific region.

  • Pope Francis’s condition still critical- Vatican

    Pope Francis’s condition still critical- Vatican

    Pope Francis’s condition “remains critical,” the Vatican confirmed on Saturday, stating that the 88-year-old pontiff was alert but had suffered a respiratory attack requiring “high-flow oxygen” and blood transfusions.

    “At the moment, the prognosis is reserved,” the statement read, as the head of the Catholic Church spent his ninth night at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, where he was diagnosed this week with double pneumonia.

    “This morning, Pope Francis experienced a prolonged asthmatic respiratory crisis, which required the administration of high-flow oxygen,” it added.

    Daily blood tests “revealed thrombocytopenia, associated with anaemia, necessitating blood transfusions,” the statement continued.

    Despite his condition, the Vatican reported that Francis remained alert and spent the day sitting in an armchair, though he was in greater discomfort than the previous day.

    The Vatican confirmed that the Argentine pontiff would not deliver his usual weekly Angelus prayer on Sunday. Instead, the text would be published, as was done the previous weekend.

    Francis has led the Catholic Church since 2013 but has faced numerous health challenges in recent years, undergoing major surgeries in 2021 and 2023. His latest hospitalisation has raised concerns about his ability to continue leading the Church’s 1.4 billion followers, fuelling speculation about a possible resignation and his potential successor.

    Professor Sergio Alfieri, head of the Pope’s medical team at Gemelli, said on Friday that the pontiff’s condition had “slightly improved,” allowing doctors to gradually reduce his medication. However, he emphasised the seriousness of the situation given Francis’s age and overall health.

    “Is the Pope out of danger? No, the Pope is not out of danger,” Alfieri stated. “But if you ask whether he is at risk of dying at this moment, the answer is no.”

    Despite his health struggles, Francis maintains a demanding schedule. However, his medical challenges have mounted, from colon surgery to a hernia operation in 2023. He also suffers from chronic hip and knee pain, requiring him to use a wheelchair most of the time.

  • Pope Francis suffers Pneumonia, condition remains complex– Vatican

    Pope Francis suffers Pneumonia, condition remains complex– Vatican

    Pope Francis, who was admitted to hospital last week, is suffering from pneumonia in both lungs, and the 88-year-old’s clinical condition remains “complex”, the Vatican announced on Tuesday.

    Francis was taken to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Friday with bronchitis after experiencing breathing difficulties. The Holy See has since cancelled all his engagements until the end of the weekend.

    “The laboratory tests, chest X-ray, and the Holy Father’s clinical condition continue to present a complex picture,” the Vatican stated.

    A “polymicrobial infection” has worsened his bronchiectasis and asthmatic bronchitis, requiring cortisone and antibiotic treatment, making recovery more complicated.

    A follow-up CT scan on Tuesday confirmed the onset of bilateral pneumonia, necessitating additional medication.

    Despite his condition, the Vatican reassured that Pope Francis remains in good spirits.

    Spending his fifth day in hospital, he has alternated between rest, prayer, and reading, expressing gratitude for the support and prayers he has received.

    The Argentine pontiff, head of the Catholic Church since 2013, has faced several health challenges in recent years, including hernia and colon surgeries, and he now uses a wheelchair due to persistent knee pain.