Pope Francis, the 88-year-old leader of the Catholic Church, spent a peaceful night in Rome’s Gemelli Hospital after a frightening breathing crisis on Friday, the Vatican announced Saturday.
Hospitalized for two weeks with pneumonia in both lungs, the pontiff’s condition has sparked global concern, but the latest update offers a glimmer of hope.
The Vatican reported that Francis, who was placed on a ventilator Friday following what it called an “isolated crisis,” woke up feeling well enough to eat breakfast and read the newspapers.
“He is resting now, with no further breathing issues,” a Holy See statement said, calming fears that had mounted after the sudden setback. Doctors, however, remain cautious, noting that the next 24 to 48 hours will be crucial in assessing whether the episode has caused lasting damage.
The pope’s battle with pneumonia, complicated by a polymicrobial respiratory infection, has kept him in the hospital longer than any other time in his nearly 12-year papacy.
Medical experts say his recovery is likely to be slow, given his age and history of lung problems—he had part of one lung removed as a young man and has struggled with chronic conditions like bronchitis.
Despite this, Francis has stayed active from his hospital bed, doing breathing exercises, praying, and even managing Vatican affairs.
Outside Gemelli Hospital, Catholics from across Italy have gathered in the rain, lighting candles and leaving messages of support.
Posters, balloons, and handwritten notes dot the area near a statue of Pope John Paul II, turning it into a makeshift shrine. “We’re praying for his strength,” said Maria Rossi, a 62-year-old from Naples, clutching a rosary. “He’s a father to us all.”
Francis’s health challenges have fueled speculation about his future. This is his fourth hospital stay as pope, following surgeries for colon issues and a hernia, plus a previous bout of bronchitis.
While he has said he’d consider resigning if his health fails, he’s brushed off the idea for now. “It’s not the time,” he reportedly told aides earlier this year, despite his increasing frailty.
The Vatican remains guarded about his prognosis, acknowledging the complexity of his condition.
Doctors are closely monitoring him, balancing optimism with the reality of his delicate state. For now, the world watches and waits, as the resilient pontiff rests—and Catholics everywhere hold their breath in solidarity.
