Pope Francis’ condition remains ‘critical, but stationary’ as he resumes work

VATICAN CITY (RNS) — After 10 days in the hospital for bilateral pneumonia, Pope Francis’ condition is “stationary,” doctors said in a statement on Tuesday (Feb. 25).

After suffering from bronchitis for over a week, the pope admitted himself to the Gemelli Hospital in Rome, where pontiffs are traditionally treated, on Feb. 14. Laboratory tests found he had a polymicrobial infection, meaning various bacteria, viruses or fungi had led to pneumonia in both lungs.

After suffering from an asthmatic respiratory crisis on Saturday, doctors said the pope was in critical condition.

Over the weekend, doctors also found mild failure of his kidneys, which they said remained under control. 

“The Holy Father’s clinical condition remains critical, but stationary,” doctors said in the statement on Tuesday, adding that the pope did not have any further acute respiratory episodes. Blood tests “continue to be stable,” the statement read.

The pope had a scheduled CT scan of his lungs to monitor his pneumonia in the evening. “The prognosis remains guarded,” the doctors said.

People leave notes and offer prayers for Pope Francis under a statue of St. John Paul II outside Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome, Feb. 24, 2025. (RNS photo/Claire Giangravé)

Despite his ailments, the pope “resumed his work,” the statement added.

On Tuesday morning, Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni told Vatican journalists that “the pope slept well all night.”

Hundreds of faithful and 27 Vatican cardinals gathered in St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City on Monday evening to pray the rosary for the pope’s recovery. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican secretary of state and Francis’ right-hand man, led the prayer service.  

At 88 years old, Francis is among the oldest reigning pontiffs, and he has a long medical history. He has suffered from bronchitis since he was a youth in Argentina, which led to doctors removing a portion of his right lung. He was also treated for diverticulitis, an inflammation of the large intestine, and in 2023, doctors at the Gemelli Hospital removed a portion of his large intestine.

The pope’s illness takes place at a busy time, when he has been engaged in attending and overseeing Jubilee year anniversary events, in which millions of pilgrims are expected to come to the Vatican and Rome to see the pope and gain pardon for their sins.