Pope Francis’ health worsening, Vatican says

Pope Francis’ health has taken a concerning turn, with the Vatican confirming that the 88-year-old pontiff is “more unwell than yesterday.”

In a statement, the Vatican revealed that the Pope had suffered a “prolonged asthma-like respiratory crisis” earlier in the day, adding to concerns about his condition.

The Pope, who is being treated at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital for double pneumonia, remains alert, but the Vatican cautioned that his prognosis “remains guarded.”

He was admitted to the hospital on February 14 after experiencing difficulty breathing for several days.

Earlier on Saturday, the Vatican had issued a brief update stating that the Pope had “rested well” overnight.

However, the latest statement paints a more somber picture, highlighting the gravity of his condition.

As news of his worsening health spread, priests, nuns, and devout civilians gathered outside Gemelli Hospital to offer prayers and support for the beloved pontiff.

Timeline of the Pope’s health challenges

Pope Francis has dealt with several health issues since becoming the Pope in 2013. Here’s a brief timeline:

-2020: Pope Francis experienced sciatic pain in December, which prevented him from presiding at the Vatican’s liturgies on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

-January 2021: The Pope cancelled three public appearances due to sciatic nerve pain.

-July 2021: Pope Francis underwent surgery to relieve stricture of the colon caused by diverticulitis, spending 11 days in the hospital recovering.

-January 2022: The Pope shared that he was having problems with his knee, which caused him pain and limited his mobility.

-February 2022: Pope Francis cancelled two public events due to knee pain and was advised by doctors to rest.

-April 2022: The Pope used a lift to disembark the papal plane during a trip to Malta and had his agenda cleared for medical checkups and rest for his knee.

-May 2022: Pope Francis underwent a medical procedure on his knee and began using a wheelchair in public.

-June 2022: The Pope’s planned visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan was postponed due to his knee problems.

-June 2023: Pope Francis underwent a three-hour abdominal surgery to repair an incisional hernia and spent eight days in the hospital recovering.

-November 2023: The Pope came down with a mild flu and was treated with antibiotics intravenously.

-December 2024: Pope Francis suffered a contusion on his chin after hitting it on a bedside table and also had a cold before Christmas.

-January 2025: The Pope suffered a contusion on his right forearm after falling at his residence.

-February 2025: Pope Francis was hospitalized for bronchitis and underwent diagnostic testing and treatment.

Pope Francis 

Pope Francis, who has led the Catholic Church since 2013, is widely admired for his humility, progressive stance on social issues, and efforts to modernize the Church.

Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Pope Francis is the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State.

He’s a pretty historic figure, being the first pope from the Society of Jesus, the first from the Americas and the Southern Hemisphere, and the first born or raised outside Europe since the 8th-century Syrian pope Gregory III.

Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1936, Bergoglio was inspired to join the Jesuits in 1958 after recovering from severe illness.

He was ordained a Catholic priest in 1969 and went on to become the archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998.

He was ordained a cardinal in 2001 by Pope John Paul II.

He’s taken a less formal approach to the papacy, choosing to reside in the Domus Sanctae Marthae guest house rather than the papal apartments of the Apostolic Palace.

Francis has made some significant moves during his papacy, including making women full members of dicasteries in the Roman Curia and advocating for the poor and marginalized.

He’s also been a vocal critic of unbridled capitalism, consumerism, and overdevelopment, and has made action on climate change a leading focus of his papacy.

Despite some controversy surrounding his past, including allegations of involvement in the Argentine Navy’s kidnapping of two Jesuit priests during the Dirty War, Francis has maintained a strong reputation as a champion of social justice and compassion.

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