Vatican gives update on Pope Francis breathing crisis in hospital

The Vatican has given another update after Pope Francis’s health was hit with a major setback as he battles a series of ‘complex’ medical conditions.

Pope Francis’s health has been 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 the 88-year-old 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.

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

“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.

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.

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)

“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