Pope Francis health: A timeline and what we know so far

Pope Francis, 88, has been hospitalised at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital since February 14, for a respiratory tract infection, which he had been fighting since early this month.

Both lungs developed pneumonia as the infection got worse. He is currently experiencing an “initial, slight insufficiency” in his kidney function, according to the Vatican.

What is the current status of Pope Francis’s health?

Pope Francis is in critical condition and is receiving treatment for his double pneumonia, according to the Vatican.

Lung inflammation is typically brought on by a viral or bacterial infection. It occurs when the alveoli (small lungs) become overflowing with fluid and pus, making breathing uncomfortable and limiting oxygen absorption.

Things are “currently under control,” the Vatican said, referring to the kidneys’ role of filtering waste products from the blood on Sunday, which also revealed some mild signs of kidney failure.

Francis also developed anaemia and, during blood transfusions on Saturday, received hematin, a treatment that can help increase haemoglobin levels, which in turn helps the blood carry more oxygen.

Pope’s condition

According to the Vatican, he remains alert and responsive. The Vatican stated that the Pope and the doctors and nurses who are overseeing his treatment, “went to mass in his apartment in Gemelli Hospital on Sunday.”

Francis was still receiving high flows of supplemental oxygen, despite not having any more respiratory crises since Saturday night, according to the Vatican.

After suffering from a respiratory crisis, Francis was given high-flow oxygen and spent a restful night in the hospital.

“The complexity of the clinical picture, and the necessary wait for drug therapies to provide some feedback, dictate that the prognosis remains guarded”, his doctors said on Sunday.

Last week, he did not deliver the weekly Angelus prayer for the third time in his nearly 12-year papacy.

How serious is Pope Francis’s condition?

The pope, who had a lung removed in his youth, has a history of lung problems. His advanced age and prior health complications make this infection concerning, say experts.

Doctors have warned that sepsis, a severe blood infection that can develop as a complication of pneumonia, remains a major threat to Pope Francis’s health. But there has been no mention of sepsis in any of the Vatican’s medical updates, including the one on Monday.

Francis has spent the longest in a hospital since he was elected pope in March 2013.

Sergio Alfieri, a surgeon on Francis’s medical team, said he acknowledged his fragility and recognised that his health was in a precarious state. “He told us both doors are open”, Alfieri said, according to a report by The New York Times.

Pope Francis loses his skullcap as he arrives to meet youths at the Shrine of Maipu in Santiago, Chile, holding a cross that reads “I give you my peace” in Spanish.

What other health issues did Pope Francis encounter?

Over the years, he has dealt with:

Lung and respiratory health challenges

At 21, Jorge Bergoglio — as he was known then — was diagnosed with pleurisy, an inflammation of the lung lining, and had part of a lung removed.
He has had recurring bouts of influenza and other health issues since the start of 2023.
Due to the effects of influenza and lung inflammation, he was forced to cancel a trip to Dubai for the UN COP28 climate meeting in late November 2023.

Falls

The pope also recently fell at his home, one of which left him with a bruised chin in December of that year, and the other with an arm wound in January of that year.

Colon and abdomen surgeries

In July 2021, the pope had 33cm (13 inches) of his colon removed in a six-hour operation that was aimed at addressing a painful bowel condition called diverticulitis. He said in 2023 that the condition had returned.
In June 2023, the pope had an abdominal hernia operation and spent nine days in the hospital. Due to the condition’s painful intestinal blockages, his medical team decided surgery was necessary.

Back and knee pain

The pope has long suffered from sciatica, a chronic nerve condition that causes back, hip and leg pain.
He sought treatment for a painful knee condition that he had previously experienced with laser and magnet therapy. The pope’s mobility now depends on a cane or wheelchair.

How has the Vatican responded to the pope’s medical condition?

While recovering, the pope’s public appearances have been postponed or canceled.

His recovery has been accompanied by vigils and prayer gatherings around the world.

Decorated candles, flowers and pictures of Pope Francis are placed at the base of the statue of the late Pope John Paul II — Outside the statue of the late Pope John Paul II outside of Rome, decorated with flowers and images of Pope Francis are displayed.

Could his papal function be affected by this?

Some reports claim that Pope Francis has been reportedly being considered for resigning due to his health issues. The Vatican has not, however, confirmed any of those reports.

Francis has already confirmed that he wrote a letter of resignation shortly after being elected pontiff in case medical issues prevented him from performing his duties. His predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, had also resigned, citing a “lack of strength of mind and body”, at the age of 85.

But there is no sign that Francis is incapacitated. Throughout his hospital stay, he has remained active in his duties, including making bishop appointments.

During his first two days of hospitalisation, Pope Francis also continued his daily phone calls with Reverend Gabriel Romanelli, the parish priest of Gaza’s only Catholic Church, and his assistant, Father Yusuf Asad.

“The Holy Father called us the first two days of hospitalisation, people were waiting at 8pm Gaza time as always”, Romanelli said. He continued, “He insisted and managed to contact us with a video call, despite the fact that we had a blackout throughout Gaza City.”

Since Israel began its bombing campaign in Gaza, they have communicated frequently.