Vatican issues statement revealing Pope Francis ‘critical’

Pope Francis, hospitalised in critical condition with pneumonia in both lungs, was conscious and “not in pain”, the Vatican said amid global concern for the pontiff.

Pope Francis, hospitalised in critical condition with pneumonia in both lungs, is in a good mood after a peaceful night, the Vatican said, amid global concern over the pontiff’s health.

The 88-year-old head of the Catholic Church was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital on February 14 with breathing difficulties and his condition has since worsened.

But the Vatican’s morning bulletin said: “The night passed well, the pope slept and is resting”.

Francis “woke up and is continuing his treatment”, a Vatican source said. He was “in a good mood”, “can get out of bed”, “is not in pain” and was eating “normally”.

Pope Francis had a restful tenth night in the hospital, according to the Holy See Press Office.

"The night went well; the Pope slept and is resting."

He is receiving treatment for double pneumonia at Rome's Gemelli Hospital.https://t.co/Zb54goshRWpic.twitter.com/eyZwnbJmJc

— Vatican News (@VaticanNews) February 24, 2025

The longest hospitalisation of Francis’s papacy has brought an outpouring of support with prayers said around the world and tributes left outside the Gemelli hospital, where Francis is in a 10th floor papal suite.

His initial bronchitis developed into double pneumonia and Vatican warned for the first time that the pope’s condition was critical.

Francis continues to receive “high-flow” oxygen through a nasal cannula, and blood tests demonstrated an “initial, mild, renal failure, currently under control”.

He is alert but “the complexity of the clinical picture, and the need to wait for the pharmacological treatments to have some effect, mean that the prognosis remains reserved,” according to the Vatican.

Pope Francis at the weekly general audience at Paul-VI hall in The Vatican on February 5, 2025. Pope Francis's condition "remains critical" but the 88-year-old "had a good night". Picture: AFP

Abele Donati, head of the anaesthesia and intensive care unit at the Marche University Hospital, told the Corriere della Sera daily that renal failure “could signal the presence of sepsis in the early stages”.

“It is the body’s response to an ongoing infection, in this case of the two lungs”, he said.

Professor Sergio Alfieri, who leads the Gemelli medical team treating the pope, warned on Friday that “the real risk in these cases is that the germs pass into the blood”, which could result in sepsis, a life-threatening condition.

Pope Francis is in the fight of his life in hospital. Picture: Getty Images

It comes as one of Australia’s most prominent Catholics is praying for the recovery of Pope Francis who is fighting for his life as he undergoes treatment for multiple respiratory infections.

Former Australian Catholic University vice-chancellor Greg Craven said Pope Francis had battled poor health for years and had become progressively more fragile.

Mr Craven said his contacts in the Vatican recognised the reality of the situation appeared to be “really bad” as Pope Francis underwent treatment for pneumonia and a lung infection.

“All we can do is hope and pray and remembering that as well as being the Pope, he is a very old and sick man,” he said.

“No one would want to wish further suffering on him.

“So we hope and pray for a recovery but recognise that may not happen and may be good for the Pope himself.”

Mr Craven said that Catholics on the left and right of the church had joined in prayer for the supreme pontiff’s recovery.

The Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney said that the church was praying for the health and recovery of Pope Francis.

“In this time of illness, we unite with Archbishop Anthony in our prayers for the Holy Father Pope Francis and invite the ongoing prayers of all the faithful in Sydney and beyond for his health, comfort and recovery,” said the Catholic Archdiocese.

“May the Lord grant him peace and strength, as we trust in the Lord’s mercy and love, confident that He hears our prayers through Christ our Lord. Amen.”

Catholic Archbishop of Sydney Anthony Fisher over the weekend invited fellow Catholics to pray with him for the recovery of Pope Francis in Rome.

Deacons take part in a mass for their jubilee in St. Peter's Basilica at The Vatican Sunday that was supposed to be presided over by Pope Francis. Picture: AP

German Cardinal Gerhard Ludwig Muller told the Corriere della Sera “the pope is alive and this is the moment to pray, not think about his successor”.

But had added: “We all must die. There is no eternal earthly life. The pope has a special task, but he is a man like all men”.

Messages of support sent to Pope Francis at Vatican City. Picture: Supplied

Francis’s hospitalisation has sparked widespread fears over the pope’s recovery. “At this moment in history, one feels the need for his figure”, Jesuit theologian Antonio Spadaro, who is close to Francis, told the Repubblica daily.

There were “many people around the world, including those in positions of responsibility, who are genuinely concerned because they know that Francis is one of the few who is able to connect the dots in a world that seems to be split”, he said.

The condition of the pope, who had part of one of his lungs removed as a young man, has fuelled speculation about whether he might resign.

He has always left the door open to following his predecessor, Benedict XVI, who in 2013 became the first pope since the Middle Ages to step down because of his physical and mental health.

People pray outside the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome, where Pope Francis is hospitalised. Picture: AP

But Francis has repeatedly said it was not the time.

Spadaro agreed that a resignation should not be discussed now. “The pope is vigilant, he is exercising his pastoral duty even from his hospital bed, and - although in a different, less visible manner - he manifests his presence”, he said.

Faithful visit St Peter's Square as Pope Francis is in hospital with pneumonia, on February 23, 2025 in Rome, Italy. Picture: Getty Images

St Peter’s Square at Vatican City was busy with many visitors to the religious site on Sunday including worshippers who remain concerned about the status of the pope’s health.

The pope was forced to cancel his weekend engagements to ensure he remains fully focused on his health battle while he remains in hospital.

Faithful visit St Peter's Square as Pope Francis is in hospital with pneumonia. Picture: Getty Images

It remains unclear if Pope Francis, the 266th pope, will stand down but from all accounts this does not appear to be on his agenda.

Pope Benedict XVI in 2013 became the first pope in 600 years who retired after he conceded that he didn’t have the physical strength to continue.

He was 85 years old at the time.

Originally published as Vatican issues statement revealing Pope Francis ‘critical’