Pope Francis was admitted to a hospital in Rome, Italy, in February 2025 to deal with an sickness, elevating considerations worldwide about his health. On March 23, he made a short public look for the primary time in over 5 weeks. Given the pope’s historical past of well being challenges, his supporters are looking forward to an replace on his situation.
The current hospitalization isn’t the primary time Pope Francis has been admitted to the hospital. As many could recall, the Argentine pontiff has confronted a number of well being points all through his life, together with lung-related setbacks.
Beneath, Hollywood Life has compiled all the data we all know thus far about Pope Francis’ well being, his 2025 hospitalization, and discharge.
How Previous Is Pope Francis?
As of April 2025, Pope Francis is 88 years old, having been born on December 17, 1936.
Why Was Pope Francis Hospitalized?
Pope Francis was admitted to a hospital in Rome after battling bronchitis for a number of weeks. The Vatican launched a press release, per CNN, confirming the information. It learn, “This morning, on the finish of the audiences, Pope Francis can be admitted to the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic for some mandatory diagnostic checks and to proceed in a hospital setting remedy for bronchitis that’s nonetheless ongoing.”
Hours earlier than he was delivered to the hospital, Francis nonetheless held audiences on the Vatican. His current ailment has brought on concern amongst supporters and people within the Vatican.
On February 17, 2025, the Vatican offered an replace on Pope Francis’ well being, revealing that he’s battling a polymicrobial an infection of the respiratory tract. Consequently, he wanted to stay within the hospital for an “acceptable” period of time. The pope’s remedy plan will embrace a change in drug remedy. To help his restoration, the Vatican additionally talked about that he had a quiet weekend, with medical employees prescribing absolute relaxation.
The following day, The Guardian reported that the pope had double pneumonia after additional checks have been carried out within the hospital. In accordance with the outlet, Francis underwent a chest X-ray, which confirmed “the onset of bilateral pneumonia that required additional pharmacological remedy.” In accordance with WedMD, bilateral (double) pneumonia impacts each lungs in a person. The sickness can inflame and/or scar an individual’s lungs.
On February 23, 2025, the Vatican confirmed that blood checks revealed kidney failure in Francis.
On March 4, 2025, in accordance with CNN, the Vatican said that the pope is in secure situation after receiving oxygen as a result of two episodes of respiratory failure. Nevertheless, whereas he was reported as secure, his situation stays “complicated.”
How Is Pope Francis Doing Now?
On March 23, Pope Francis was discharged from the hospital shortly after waving to a crowd from his window at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital. He appeared on the balcony in a wheelchair, which he has used for a number of years.
After his discharge, the pope could possibly be seen waving from the again seat of a automobile as a convoy left the hospital. On his method again to the Vatican, he made a cease within the heart of Rome to hope on the Papal Basilica earlier than persevering with to the Vatican. He’s anticipated to return residence to Casa Santa Marta in Vatican Metropolis.
The Vatican launched a message ready by the Pontiff, by which he stated, “On this lengthy interval of hospitalization, I’ve had the chance to expertise the endurance of the Lord, which I additionally see mirrored within the tireless care of docs and healthcare employees, in addition to within the devotion and hopes of the households of the sick.” He additionally addressed world conflicts, welcoming a peace settlement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and expressing unhappiness over “the resumption of heavy Israeli bombing on the Gaza Strip, with so many lifeless and wounded.”
In accordance with the pinnacle of his medical staff, Francis will want an extra two months of relaxation as soon as he returns to the Vatican. His docs additionally talked about that it’s going to take “a number of time” for his physique to completely heal.
Pope Francis’ Well being Historical past
Pope Francis grew to become pope on March 13, 2013, and it was round that point that it was revealed he had battled a extreme respiratory an infection in his early 20s, which led docs to take away a part of considered one of his lungs.
Since 2021, Francis’ well being setbacks have fueled rumors that he would resign, which the pope denied. On the time, he underwent intestinal surgical procedure to take away a part of his colon whereas managing diverticulitis, a situation that causes irritation within the colon. In accordance with Reuters, Francis shut down the resignation rumors whereas talking to the Spanish radio community COPE, noting that it “didn’t even cross [his] thoughts” to step down from the papacy.
By 2022, nevertheless, the rumors resurfaced as soon as Francis had a knee situation that prevented him from finishing up a few of his duties. Consequently, he has been utilizing a wheelchair and a cane ever since.
The next yr, Francis was admitted to a hospital for bronchitis. He returned to rejoice the Easter Vigil Mass a couple of week later. Francis’ 2025 hospitalization was the second identified time he wanted medical consideration to fight bronchitis.
In accordance with CNN, the Argentinian chief has suffered from lung points all through his life. Francis beforehand battled a extreme bout of pneumonia, the outlet reported.
