By CNA Staff
Vatican City, Mar 1, 2025 / 13:50 pm
Pope Francis spent another restful night at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital after being admitted on Friday, Feb. 14, to undergo testing and treatment for bronchitis.
Follow here for the latest news on Pope Francis’ health and hospitalization:
On Saturday evening, the Vatican reports Pope Francis is stable following Friday’s bronchospasm episode, though his prognosis remains reserved. The 88-year-old pontiff is receiving respiratory treatments at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital.
The Holy Father has no fever and shows no signs of infection. His vital signs remain stable as he alternates between non-invasive ventilation and oxygen therapy. The pope has received the Eucharist today and is spending time in prayer.
Vatican officials confirm no further bronchospasm episodes have occurred. The prognosis remains reserved as doctors continue monitoring his condition carefully. Tomorrow’s Angelus will be distributed in written form rather than delivered in person.
Catholics worldwide are gathering for prayer vigils, with nightly rosaries continuing at St. Peter’s Square for the pontiff’s recovery.
Pope Francis spent a “peaceful night and is resting,” according to a succinct Saturday morning statement from the Holy See Press Office.
This update follows Friday’s concerning development when the 88-year-old pope began noninvasive ventilation at Gemelli Hospital after experiencing “an isolated crisis of bronchospasm” that resulted in “a sudden worsening” of his respiratory condition, according to the Vatican.
The Holy Father’s condition had been described as “complex” with a “guarded” prognosis in earlier updates.
Catholics worldwide continue to pray for Pope Francis, with the nightly rosary vigil at St. Peter’s Square drawing faithful participants since the pontiff’s hospitalization for bilateral pneumonia in mid-February.
Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, prefect of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches, will lead tonight’s rosary for Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square at 9 p.m. local time. The nightly prayer vigil continues to draw cardinals residing in Rome, Vatican officials, and faithful from around the city.
On Friday night, Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, led the recitation of the rosary, joined by other cardinals, Roman Curia leaders, and the faithful who gathered for the evening prayer in solidarity with the hospitalized pontiff.
Pope Francis’ health condition “still remains reserved” after he “presented an isolated crisis of bronchospasm,” the Holy See Press Office says in a statement Friday evening Rome time.
The event “resulted in an episode of vomiting with inhalation and sudden worsening of the respiratory picture,” the statement continues. The pope was “promptly bronchoaspirated and began noninvasive mechanical ventilation.”
Pope Francis “remained alert and oriented at all times, cooperating with therapeutic maneuvers,” the statement says, noting that he received the Eucharist in the morning.
On Friday morning, Feb. 28, the Holy See Press Office reports that Pope Francis had a “calm” and restful 14th night at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital as his treatment for bilateral pneumonia continues.
“As in recent days, the night passed calmly, and the pope is now resting,” the Vatican statement notes, providing the faithful with a brief but positive update on the pontiff’s condition.
Further updates are expected later in the morning, Rome time.
According to Thursday evening’s press release, the 88-year-old pontiff’s clinical picture continues to improve, though his medical situation remains “complex” and his prognosis “guarded.”
Meanwhile, the 9 p.m. rosary for Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square continues for the fifth consecutive evening on Friday, with Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, leading the prayers.
Four years ago, Pope Francis prayed for the world—now, the world prays for him. For the fourth night, hundreds gathered to pray the Rosary in St. Peter’s Square led by Cardinal Reina.
