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Pope Francis was hospitalized in Rome last week and has developed pneumonia in both lungs, the Vatican announced in a statement Tuesday, Feb. 18.
The Pope was admitted to the hospital on Friday, Feb. 14, after missing several events last week, including a visit with artists at the Vatican. He also did not attend Mass on Sunday, with a Vatican prelate participating for him instead, per The New York Times.
Pope Francis was admitted to the hospital with bronchitis, and he was later diagnosed with a “polymicrobial infection” — essentially a mixture of pathogens like bacteria and viruses — in his respiratory system. He was treated with corticosteroids and antibiotics and later given a follow-up CT scan. After that, he was diagnosed with double pneumonia, “requiring additional pharmacological therapy,” the Vatican said.
As for the Pope’s current condition, the Vatican said, “Laboratory tests, chest X-rays, and the clinical condition of the Holy Father continue to present a complex picture.” While the Vatican does not expect Pope Francis to attend any events through the weekend, they said he “remains in good spirits.”
The Vatican statement added that the Holy Father “received the Eucharist and, throughout the day, alternated between rest, prayer, and reading. He expresses his gratitude for the support he feels at this time and kindly asks that prayers for him continue.”
This marks Pope Francis’ fourth hospitalization in Rome. Last February, he underwent diagnostic tests after a slight flu, while in 2023, he was admitted twice: First with a respiratory infection that lasted just a few days, and later to undergo abdominal surgery for a hernia. In 2021, he underwent colon surgery.
Pope Francis is particularly susceptible to the flu and bronchitis due to longstanding lung issues. When he was 21, a serious respiratory illness forced him to have part of his right lung removed.
