Claire Dawson
Pope Francis, the first pope born outside of Europe in over a millennium, was hospitalized in February and March of 2025 for five weeks. The 88-year-old pontiff was admitted to Rome's Gemelli Hospital on February 14 for bronchitis and a severe respiratory infection, which developed into pneumonia in both lungs. During his hospitalization, Pope Francis suffered two near-death experiences, and his doctors considered whether to continue treatment or let him go.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for Hospitalization | Pope Francis was hospitalized due to a severe respiratory infection, which later developed into pneumonia in both lungs. He also had bronchitis and a polymicrobial infection. |
| Length of Stay | The Pope was in the hospital for about five weeks (38 days). |
| Treatment | He received oxygen therapy and was placed on a non-invasive ventilator. He resisted intubation, which would have required him to be kept unconscious. |
| Near-Death Experiences | Pope Francis experienced two near-death scares during his hospitalization, with his doctors considering his condition dire enough to contemplate end-of-life decisions. |
| Recovery | After his discharge on March 23, 2025, he was expected to convalesce at his Vatican residence, Casa Santa Marta, for at least two months to allow his body to fully heal. |
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What You'll Learn
- Pope Francis was hospitalised for five weeks due to pneumonia and a respiratory infection
- The 88-year-old pontiff's condition was critical and life-threatening
- Pope Francis experienced two near-death scares during his hospitalisation
- The Pope made a surprise public appearance two weeks after being discharged
- Pope Francis died on Easter Monday, four weeks after his hospital release
Pope Francis was hospitalised for five weeks due to pneumonia and a respiratory infection
During his hospitalisation, Pope Francis experienced several critical episodes where his life was in danger. He received oxygen therapy and was placed on a non-invasive ventilator. His doctors revealed that he came very close to death during his illness and that his health crisis was the worst during his 12-year papacy. The leader of his medical team, Dr Sergio Alfieri, called his recovery a "miracle".
Pope Francis was discharged from the hospital on 23 March 2025 and returned to his residence at the Casa Santa Marta in the Vatican to continue his recovery. He made a surprise public appearance on 6 April 2025, his first public appearance since leaving the hospital. He greeted crowds at the Vatican while seated in a wheelchair and wearing a nasal cannula to aid his breathing.
The pope's health had been a significant concern, and his hospitalisation and recovery marked a challenging period for him and his supporters worldwide. His doctors emphasised the importance of rest and a reduced schedule to allow his body to heal fully. They advised that he would need at least two months to recuperate and that his voice, weakened by the illness and oxygen therapy, would gradually recover.
Pope Francis's hospitalisation and subsequent recovery highlighted the fragility of his health and the dedicated medical care he received. His doctors and aides worked tirelessly to ensure his well-being, and his supporters celebrated his resilience and return to health.
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The 88-year-old pontiff's condition was critical and life-threatening
Pope Francis, the first pope born outside of Europe in over a millennium, passed away on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, approximately four weeks after being discharged from the hospital. The 88-year-old pontiff's condition was critical and life-threatening during his five-week hospital stay, where he was treated for bronchitis and bilateral pneumonia.
The pope's doctors revealed that he experienced two near-death scares during his hospitalization. During one of these critical episodes, Pope Francis gasped, "It's terrible," as his oxygen saturation dipped to a dangerously low level of 78%. The leader of his medical team, Dr. Sergio Alfieri, recalled that it was a miracle that the pope survived and expressed his belief that the prayers of people worldwide contributed to his recovery.
Pope Francis's health crisis began when he was admitted to Gemelli Hospital in Rome on February 14, 2025. He initially presented with bronchitis and a severe respiratory infection, which later developed into pneumonia affecting both lungs. This marked the most serious health crisis of his 12-year papacy.
During his hospitalization, the pope required oxygen therapy and was placed on a non-invasive ventilator at one point. His doctors emphasized the seriousness of his condition and the need for a prolonged recovery period. They advised him to rest and make behavioural changes to aid his recuperation.
Despite the life-threatening nature of his illness, Pope Francis made a remarkable recovery. He was discharged from the hospital on March 23, 2025, and returned to his residence at Casa Santa Marta in the Vatican. His final public appearance was on Easter Sunday, where he blessed thousands of Catholics outside the Vatican before his passing on Easter Monday.
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Pope Francis experienced two near-death scares during his hospitalisation
Pope Francis, the first pope born outside of Europe in over a millennium, died on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025. He passed away about four weeks after he was released from the hospital following an extended battle with respiratory ailments. The 88-year-old pontiff spent five weeks in the hospital with pneumonia in February and March. During his hospitalisation, Pope Francis experienced two near-death scares.
The first occurred on February 28, when Pope Francis suffered a severe bronchospasm, struggling to breathe. The situation was so dire that the medical team considered letting the pope die at one critical point. Dr Sergio Alfieri, the lead surgeon who oversaw the pope's treatment, recounted the severity of the situation, noting that he saw tears in the eyes of those around him. The pope's oxygen saturation had dipped to a dangerously low level of 78 percent during his long hospitalisation.
The second near-death scare occurred when Pope Francis regurgitated and aspirated food into his lungs while eating. This incident could have resulted in sudden death or severe lung complications if not for the swift action of the medical team. Dr Alfieri admitted that it was a terrible moment, and they truly thought they might lose him. The doctors had to suction his airway, but they worried that the inhalation would aggravate his deeply infected lungs.
Throughout his hospitalisation, Pope Francis remained cooperative and maintained his characteristic humour. He had initially resisted going to the hospital and had ruled out intubation, which would have meant being kept unconscious. His medical team emphasised his resilience and credited both his physical strength and the power of global prayers for his recovery.
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The Pope made a surprise public appearance two weeks after being discharged
Pope Francis made a surprise public appearance on Sunday, 6 April 2025, two weeks after being discharged from the Agostino Gemelli Hospital in Rome, where he spent five weeks battling severe health issues. The 88-year-old pontiff's appearance was not previously announced, but crowds of worshippers gathered at the Vatican's St. Peter's Square to greet him.
The Pope entered the square in a wheelchair, wearing oxygen nasal cannulas and offering a brief greeting. He waved to the crowds and said, "Happy Sunday to everyone," in a frail but stronger voice than two weeks prior. The Pope's appearance marked a significant improvement in his health since his previous public appearance before hospitalisation.
Pope Francis was initially admitted to the hospital on 14 February 2025, suffering from a severe respiratory infection. His condition evolved into a polymicrobial infection, which eventually led to pneumonia in both lungs, also known as double pneumonia. This was an especially serious condition as the Pope had previously suffered from pleurisy and had part of one lung removed.
During his hospital stay, Pope Francis came close to death on several occasions, with his oxygen saturation dipping to a dangerously low level at one point. His medical team considered ending treatment to allow him to pass away peacefully. However, the Pope pulled through and was discharged on 23 March 2025, to continue his recovery at his Vatican residence, Casa Santa Marta.
The Pope's surprise appearance on 6 April was a cause for celebration, with the crowd cheering wildly as he greeted them. The Vatican press office released the Pope's Angelus message, in which he expressed his gratitude and called for prayers for peace in Ukraine, the Middle East, and other regions experiencing conflict and natural disasters. It is unclear how often the Pope will appear in public in the coming weeks, as he continues to rest and recuperate.
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Pope Francis died on Easter Monday, four weeks after his hospital release
Pope Francis, the first pope born outside of Europe in over a millennium, died on Easter Monday, 21 April 2025, about four weeks after he was released from the hospital. The 88-year-old pontiff had spent five weeks in the hospital with pneumonia in February and March. He was initially admitted to Rome's Gemelli Hospital on 14 February 2025 for bronchitis and was subsequently diagnosed with a severe respiratory infection and a polymicrobial infection that evolved into pneumonia in both lungs.
During his hospitalization, Pope Francis experienced two critical episodes in which his life was in danger, and his doctors did not think he would survive. He was given oxygen therapy and placed on a non-invasive ventilator. The pope himself acknowledged that he might die, telling his doctor, "It's terrible...I might die." Despite the grim outlook, the pope's condition improved, and he was discharged from the hospital on 23 March 2025, appearing briefly on a balcony in a wheelchair to offer a blessing and words of thanks to the crowd gathered below.
Upon his release, Pope Francis returned to his residence at Casa Santa Marta in the Vatican to continue his recovery. His doctors advised that he would need at least two months to fully heal and that he should rest and refrain from vigorous activities. However, the pope made several public appearances following his discharge, including a final one on Easter Sunday when he appeared to thousands of Catholics outside the Vatican.
Unfortunately, just four weeks after his release from the hospital, Pope Francis passed away on Easter Monday. While the Vatican did not immediately specify an official cause of death, his extended battle with respiratory ailments and life-threatening pneumonia likely contributed to his passing. The world mourns the loss of a beloved and revered religious leader whose health crisis and miraculous recovery had captured the attention and prayers of people worldwide.
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Frequently asked questions
Pope Francis was admitted to the hospital after suffering from a severe respiratory infection. He was subsequently diagnosed with a polymicrobial infection, which evolved into pneumonia in both lungs.
Pope Francis was in the hospital for about five weeks. He was discharged on March 23, 2025.
A polymicrobial infection is an infection caused by multiple types of microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, or fungi. In the case of Pope Francis, it affected his respiratory tract.
Pneumonia is an infection that inflames the lungs' air sacs, filling them with fluid. Pope Francis suffered from bilateral pneumonia, which means both of his lungs were affected. It was a life-threatening condition that brought him close to death.
Pope Francis was released from the hospital on March 23, 2025, and returned to his residence at the Casa Santa Marta in the Vatican to continue his recovery. Unfortunately, he passed away on April 21, 2025, about four weeks after his release from the hospital.
