Vatican gives update on Pope Francis breathing crisis in hospital

There has been a major change in the condition of Pope Francis, who is in hospital for more than two weeks with double pneumonia, the Vatican revealed.

Pope Francis is no longer requiring ventilation and is in a stable condition his latest medical update has revealed.

The Vatican issued a statement on Sunday night (Monday AEDT) which showed positive signs for his ongoing health battle - the pontiff’s prognosis remains “guarded” as he heads into his 16th night at Rome’s Gemelli hospital.

“The clinical conditions of the Holy Father remained stable today, the pope did not require non-invasive mechanical ventilation, but only high-flow oxygen therapy, he is afebrile,” the Vatican’s update said.

“Given the complexity of the clinical picture the prognosis remains guarded”.

Francis spent Sunday morning taking part in Holy Mass inside the hospital alongside the medical staff caring for him.

Francis, who has been in hospital for more than two weeks with double pneumonia, spent a “calm night”, the Vatican said, after reporting he was in a stable condition.

“The pope is still resting,” the Holy See said in its latest health update on the 88-year-old head of the Catholic Church.

Tourists and pilgrims visit St Peter's square in The Vatican as Pope Francis is still hospitalised with pneumonia and did not lead the Angelus prayer for the third consecutive Sunday. Picture: AFP

On Saturday evening, it had said the pope’s condition was “stable”, adding that he was still receiving oxygen, had no fever, had been eating, was alert and praying.

Sunday saw the Argentine born pontiff forced to miss giving in person the traditional Angelus prayer for a third straight Sunday.

Instead, the Vatican released a written text at noon in which Francis thanked believers for their support and prayers.

“I would like to thank you for the prayers, which rise up to the Lord from the hearts of so many faithful from many parts of the world. I feel all your affection and closeness and, at this particular time, I feel as if I am ‘carried’ and supported by all God’s people. Thank you all,” he wrote.

The pope concluded by calling for peace in addressing conflicts around the globe.

“I pray above all for peace. From here, war appears even more absurd. Let us pray for tormented Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, Myanmar, Sudan and Kivu,” Francis wrote.

The pope’s haemodynamic parameters - those relating to the flow of blood - were also stable, and he did not have the high white-blood-cell count that often indicates an infection, the Vatican said, adding that the overall prognosis remained “reserved”.

RELATED: Who could replace Pope Francis?

Pope Francis’ conditioned has worsened, according the The Vatican. Picture: AFP

It comes as Pope Francis’s health was hit with a major setback after he suffered a breathing crisis and has been put on a ventilation machine.

On Saturday morning local time (Saturday night AEDT) the Vatican said, “after a quiet night the pope is resting”.

Despite the latest update, serious concerns still remain for the pontiff’s health.

The Vatican released an update yesterday that revealed Francis had a “sudden worsening of his respiratory condition” as he continues to battle bronchitis.

The pope spent Friday morning “alternating respiratory physiotherapy with prayer in the chapel” but he later had “an isolated crisis of bronchospasm” which led to him vomiting, some of which he inhaled.

“The Holy Father was promptly aspirated and started on non-invasive mechanical ventilation with a good response on gas exchange,” the Vatican said.

His prognosis remains “reserved” and comes after it was revealed he was in a “critical” condition last weekend.

The Vatican has more recently described Pope Francis’s condition as “complex”.

In his latest health battle the pope was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital after suffering from a bout of bronchitis.

He has also had double pneumonia in both lungs and respiratory issues and has had kidney problems.

Nuns pray at the statue of John Paul II at the Gemelli University Hospital where Pope Francis is hospitalised with pneumonia, in Rome on February 28, 2025. (Photo by Tiziana FABI / AFP)

Gemelli hospital has a chapel area for the pope adjacent to his room on the tenth floor at the medical facility — it features a kneeler and a crucifix enabling him to take part in daily prayers.

Friday night’s health update has been a major setback for the pope and comes after earlier in the day when the Vatican said he had a restful 14th night in hospital.

“As in the past few days, the night passed peacefully and the Pope is now resting,” the Vatican said on Friday morning local time.

Worshippers have continued to descend on St Peter’s Square at Vatican City to attend evening vigils to pray for the pope to return to good health.

The Jubilee audience which was scheduled for Saturday, March 1 which Pope Francis was due to attend has been cancelled.

This year is an important year for the Catholic Church because it’s a Jubilee year for the church – a special year of forgiveness and reconciliation for the church every 25 years.

Originally published as Vatican gives update on Pope Francis breathing crisis in hospital