Pope Francis marked a full week in the hospital on Friday, showing signs of improvement as he battles pneumonia and a complex respiratory infection, according to the Vatican, as per The Associated Press.
The 88-year-old pontiff was able to get out of bed and eat breakfast, a positive sign after a challenging week.
The Vatican reported late Thursday a “slight improvement” in the Pope’s overall clinical condition, noting his heart is functioning well. However, officials cautioned that it would take time to assess the effectiveness of the various drug therapies being administered. External doctors have indicated that recovery from pneumonia in a patient of Francis’ age and condition could take up to two weeks.
Pope Francis was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital on February 14 after bronchitis worsened. Doctors subsequently diagnosed a complex respiratory infection involving bacteria, viruses, and other organisms, along with the onset of pneumonia in both lungs on top of his existing asthmatic bronchitis. He has been prescribed “absolute rest” during his hospitalization.
The Pope’s extended hospital stay has inevitably sparked discussions among some cardinals regarding the possibility of resignation should Francis become irreversibly ill and unable to fulfill his duties. While Francis has acknowledged the possibility of a papal resignation, following Pope Benedict XVI’s precedent, he has repeatedly asserted that the job of pope is for life and has shown no signs of stepping down.
Benedict XVI became the first pope in 600 years to resign in 2013, citing a lack of physical strength to manage the demands of the papacy. Francis himself confirmed in 2022 that he had written a resignation letter shortly after his election, to be used if medical problems impeded his ability to carry out his responsibilities. Canon law lacks specific provisions for situations in which a pope becomes incapacitated.
Despite the speculation, there is no indication that Francis is considering resignation. He has continued to work during his hospital stay, including making bishop appointments. Following a previous hospital stay in 2021, he reportedly expressed annoyance upon learning of clergy members allegedly preparing for a conclave to elect his successor.
Francis has a history of respiratory issues, having suffered an acute case of pneumonia in 2023 and being prone to infections during the winter months. Doctors note that pneumonia poses a significant risk to elderly and fragile patients due to the difficulty in effectively expelling fluid from the lungs. While his heart remains strong, Francis faces other health challenges, including being overweight, physically inactive, and using a wheelchair due to knee problems. He also had part of one lung removed as a young man and has admitted to being a less-than-ideal patient in the past.
Over his nearly 12-year pontificate, Francis has had two longer hospital stays: ten days in 2021 for colon surgery and nine days in 2023 for surgery to remove intestinal scar tissue and repair an abdominal hernia.
As the Pope continues his recovery, Catholic faithful around the world have engaged in special prayer services. In the Philippines, the largest Catholic nation in Asia, worshippers held an hour-long prayer session at the Manila Cathedral on Friday, seeking the Pope’s swift recovery. Other Catholics were urged to offer prayers in their homes and communities for the pontiff, who drew a record crowd of 6 million during a Mass in Manila in 2015.
