Ailing Pope Francis spends 10th night in hospital

Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church, spent his 10th consecutive night in Rome’s Gemelli Hospital as he continues to receive treatment for double pneumonia.

A statement from the Vatican released on Monday confirms that the 88-year-old pontiff had a restful night, signaling a positive development in his health.

“The night went well; the Pope slept and is resting,” the statement read. This update comes after a series of concerning health reports over the past week.

“Pope Francis was admitted to the hospital on February 14, 2025, following complications related to respiratory issues,” the statement reads in part.

The Pope’s condition remains critical, though he has not experienced any respiratory crises since Saturday morning, February 22.

Reports have it that the Pope is receiving high-flow oxygen therapy through nasal cannulas and has undergone blood transfusions to stabilize his hemoglobin levels.

Medical reports also indicate that the pontiff is also being monitored for thrombocytopenia (a condition characterized by low blood platelet counts) and mild renal insufficiency, which is currently under control.

Despite these challenges, Pope Francis has remained conscious and engaged, even attending Mass in his hospital apartment on Sunday, February 23, alongside the medical team overseeing his care.

His hospitalization has drawn widespread attention and concern from the global Catholic community and world leaders.

Meanwhile, the Vatican has urged the faithful to continue praying for the Pope’s recovery.

Pope Francis has faced several health challenges in recent years.

Here’s a timeline of his major health issues:

-December 2020: The Pope experienced sciatic pain, which prevented him from presiding over the Vatican’s liturgies on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
-January 2021: Sciatic nerve pain forced him to cancel three more public appearances.
-July 2021: He underwent surgery to relieve a stricture of the colon caused by diverticulitis, spending 11 days in the hospital.
-January 2022: The Pope revealed he was having problems with his knee, citing pain when standing.
-February 2022: He canceled two public events due to knee pain and was advised by doctors to rest.
-April 2022: The Pope’s knee problems continued, forcing him to use a lift to disembark the papal plane and avoid taking stairs.
-May 2022: He underwent a medical procedure on his knee and began using a wheelchair in public.
-June 2022: The Vatican postponed the Pope’s planned visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan due to his knee problems.
-June 2023: Pope Francis underwent abdominal surgery to repair an incisional hernia and spent eight days in the hospital recovering.
-November 2023: He came down with a mild flu and was treated with antibiotics.
-December 2024: The Pope suffered a contusion on his face after hitting his chin on a bedside table.
-January 2025: He suffered another contusion, this time on his right forearm, after falling at his residence.
-February 2025: Pope Francis was hospitalized for bronchitis and underwent diagnostic testing and treatment.

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