ROME — The Vatican announced Monday afternoon that he had announced Pope Francis' hospitalization, which will be extended indefinitely, citing the “complex” clinical condition caused by a respiratory infection.
The findings of investigations conducted over the past few days indicate “multi-microbial infections of the respiratory tract,” which led to “further revisions to treatment,” Vatican news outlets said in a statement.
“All studies done so far show complex clinical conditions requiring proper hospitalization,” he added.
As reported by Breitbart News, the Pope was recognized last Friday at Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital in Rome, where he was treated for sustained bronchitis in an appropriate medical setting and also had the “necessary diagnostic tests” .
The doctor advised Francis to observe “full rest” to promote his full recovery.
The Vatican has not said how long the 88-year-old Pope is expected to last, but his general audience announced on Monday that it is scheduled for Wednesday, February 19th.
A candle with a portrait of Pope Francis is placed at the bottom of a statue of Pope John Paul II at Gemeri Hospital, who was hospitalized for testing and treatment of Roman bronchitis in Rome on February 17, 2025. Masu. via Getty Images)
On Tuesday, the Vatican announced more cancellations to the Pope's Jubilee audience on Saturday, February 22nd, suggesting that Francis' hospitalization would last for more than a week.
The Pope has suffered from an increase in normal health problems in recent years, many of which are respiratory diseases, including attacks of bronchitis. He has suffered from lung-related problems for most of his life, and following a case of severe pneumonia, he removed part of one lung when he was a young man.
He experienced a similar bronchial health fear in 2023, and spent three nights in the hospital after rushing in an ambulance. On the occasion, he complained of difficulty breathing and pain in his chest.
When the Pope was leaving the hospital, reporters asked how he was doing, and Francis said, “I'm still alive.”
In July 2021, Francis underwent intestinal surgery for diverticulum stenosis and removed a 13-inch colon. On that occasion, the Pope was also placed under general anesthesia, attended by a team of 10 doctors and experts.
Despite his medical issues, Francis maintains a calendar of busy events and travel, visiting four countries in the Asia-Pacific region over 12 days in September last year. This was his Pope's longest trip and the most continuous time he spent away from the Vatican since the election.
Francis has been sitting in Peter's chair since 2013, when he was elected Latin America's first pope and first Pope by Jesuit orders.
