Vatican Concerned as Pope Resumes Ventilation Support
VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis is facing yet another serious health setback after experiencing two episodes of acute respiratory failure on Monday.
The Vatican confirmed that doctors had to intervene to clear mucus from his lungs, a critical move that has now put the 88-year-old pontiff back on mechanical ventilation.
Despite the severity of his condition, the Vatican insists that Pope Francis remains “alert, focused, and cooperative.”
But with this being his third major health crisis in just 18 days, concerns are mounting over his ability to recover.
Pope Francis had two episodes of “acute respiratory failure,” the Vatican says cnn.it/4krhbrU
A Prolonged Battle with Pneumonia
Pope Francis was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on February 14 after struggling with breathing difficulties for days.
Initially treated for bronchitis, doctors later diagnosed him with pneumonia in both lungs—a particularly high-risk condition given his history of lung issues.
The Pope, who had a partial lung removal in his youth due to pleurisy, is especially vulnerable to respiratory infections.
Last week, he suffered an isolated breathing crisis involving vomiting, but the Vatican reported that he was responding well to oxygen therapy.
However, Monday’s setback has forced him back onto non-invasive mechanical ventilation, underscoring the fragility of his condition.
With Lent underway, Pope Francis has missed his traditional Angelus prayer for three consecutive weeks.
His scheduled appearance at Ash Wednesday’s procession and Mass has also been canceled, with the Vatican continuing to release written statements in place of his public addresses.
📷: Nuns pray for Pope Francis in front of the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic, where the pontiff has been hospitalized since Feb.14, in Rome, March 1, 2025. voanews.com/a/pope-has-cof…
Faithful Gather as Vatican Monitors Pope’s Condition
Outside St. Peter’s Square, hundreds of Catholics have gathered for eight consecutive nights, praying for Pope Francis’ recovery.
Among them are priests, nuns, and pilgrims from around the world, united in their hope for his healing.
Many have also visited Gemelli Hospital, hoping to catch a glimpse of the Pope at his window—a tradition he has upheld in past hospitalizations.
However, with the Vatican describing his condition as complex and unstable, public appearances remain off the table for now.
While Vatican officials maintain a cautiously optimistic stance, they acknowledge that the Pope “is not out of danger.”
