Critically-ill pope ‘passes a peaceful night’ – Vatican

A critically ill Pope Francis, battling pneumonia in both lungs, passed a peaceful night, the Vatican said in its latest update on Wednesday on the 88-year-old pontiff.

“The pope passed a peaceful night and is resting,” the Vatican said in a morning update on the 13th day of Francis’s hospital stay.

Breathing difficulties

Francis was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital on February 14 with breathing difficulties, after which his condition deteriorated, sparking widespread concern among Catholics.

After suffering respiratory attacks at the weekend that required high levels of oxygen and blood transfusions, the Vatican has said the pope’s condition has stabilised, but he remains in a critical condition.

A medical bulletin on Tuesday evening said the Argentine pontiff’s “clinical condition remains critical but stable”.

“There have been no acute respiratory episodes and hemodynamic parameters continue to be stable,” the Vatican said, referring to measurements such as heart rate and blood pressure.

Francis had a new scan “in the evening for radiological monitoring of bilateral pneumonia”, the Vatican said.

“The prognosis remains reserved,” it added.

Despite his critical condition, the leader of the world’s nearly 1.4 billion Catholics has kept up with Church matters from his hospital suite, according to the Vatican.

“In the morning, after receiving the Eucharist, he resumed work activities,” the statement said.

Pilgrims and faithful have been flocking to the Vatican and the Gemelli to pray for Francis.

Doctors have cautioned that any recovery will take time and that Francis will likely stay in hospital beyond this week.

This developing news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the fullest version.

Are you following the updates on Pope Francis’s health?

Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1

Subscribe to The South African website’s newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.