Logan Reid
Pope Francis was admitted to Rome's Gemelli Hospital on February 14, 2025, for a severe respiratory infection that developed into double pneumonia. The 88-year-old Pope's condition was critical during his hospitalization, with doctors reporting two very critical episodes where his life was in danger. Despite this, Pope Francis continued to lead the Church from the hospital, sending messages to pilgrim groups and concelebrating Mass. After 38 days in the hospital, Pope Francis was discharged on March 23, 2025, and returned to the Vatican to continue his recovery.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of Pope | Pope Francis |
| Age | 88 |
| Hospital | Gemelli Hospital, Rome |
| Date of Admission | 14th of February |
| Diagnosis | Bronchitis, severe respiratory infection, polymicrobial infection, bilateral pneumonia |
| Treatment | Oxygen therapy, non-invasive mechanical ventilation, physiotherapy |
| Date of Discharge | 23rd of March |
| Length of Hospital Stay | 38 days |
| Recovery | Two months of convalescence at Casa Santa Marta |
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What You'll Learn
Pope Francis was admitted to hospital for bronchitis
Pope Francis was admitted to Rome's Gemelli Hospital on 14 February 2025 for bronchitis. The 88-year-old pontiff was diagnosed with a severe respiratory infection, which was the most serious health crisis of his 12-year papacy. In the following days, he was also diagnosed with bilateral pneumonia and a "polymicrobial infection" of his respiratory tract.
The Pope's condition was critical during his hospitalization, and doctors reported that he suffered two "critical episodes" where his life was in danger. He was given oxygen therapy and placed on a non-invasive ventilator. Pope Francis had previously been hospitalized in 2023 for a separate case of bronchitis and had part of his right lung removed at age 21 to treat an infection, making him more prone to infections.
During his 38-day hospitalization in 2025, Pope Francis continued to work, sending messages to pilgrim groups, concelebrating Mass, and releasing an audio recording to thank the Catholic faithful for their prayers. His doctors reported that his condition remained stable, and he gradually increased his respiratory and active motor physiotherapy.
On 23 March 2025, Pope Francis was discharged from the hospital and returned to the Vatican, where he will continue his recovery at his residence in Casa Santa Marta. He made his first public appearance in weeks, waving and giving a thumbs up to the crowd outside the hospital and offering a blessing. Despite appearing frail and struggling to speak, the Pope seemed alert and in good spirits.
Doctors advised that Pope Francis will need time to convalesce and fully heal, with a two-month period of rest and additional medical treatment recommended. During this time, he will gradually return to work and has been advised to avoid meetings with large groups.
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He was treated for pneumonia and a respiratory infection
Pope Francis was hospitalised after developing pneumonia and a respiratory infection. The 88-year-old pontiff was admitted to Rome's Gemelli Hospital on 14 February 2025.
Pope Francis's respiratory infection was described as polymicrobial, meaning it was caused by a combination of pathogens. This complexity required treatment with antibiotics and corticosteroids. The infection developed into pneumonia, affecting both lungs in what is known as "double pneumonia". This condition causes inflammation of the lungs, filling the small sacs in the lungs, or alveoli, with pus and fluid. This makes breathing painful and restricts oxygen intake.
The Pope's pneumonia was treated with supplemental oxygenation and non-invasive mechanical ventilation. He also received active motor physiotherapy. The treatment followed the normal evolution of such a condition, and doctors reported that the Pope actively cooperated with the prescribed therapies. Despite his condition, Pope Francis continued to work, sending messages to pilgrim groups and concelebrating Mass.
Pope Francis was discharged from the hospital on 23 March 2025. Doctors advised that he would need to convalesce for two months, resting and receiving additional medical treatment.
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The Pope's life was in danger during his hospitalisation
Pope Francis was admitted to Rome's Gemelli Hospital on February 14, 2025, for a severe respiratory infection. The 88-year-old pontiff was treated for bronchitis and was diagnosed with a severe respiratory infection and bilateral pneumonia. During his hospitalisation, the Pope's treatment required several weeks of non-invasive mechanical ventilation and oxygen therapy. Doctors reported that the Pope's life was in danger during his hospitalisation. He suffered two "critical episodes" that placed him in a critical condition, and his oxygen saturation dipped to a dangerously low level of 78%.
The Pope's closest aides were extremely concerned, and doctors asked the Pope's personal nurse, who had the authority to make life-or-death decisions, for permission to proceed with more aggressive treatment. The Pope's doctors did not think he would survive, and he himself acknowledged that he might not make it. However, the Pope responded positively to the treatment, and his condition gradually improved. He continued to work during his hospitalisation, sending messages to pilgrim groups and concelebrating Mass.
After 38 days of hospitalisation, Pope Francis was discharged from the hospital on March 23, 2025. He made his first public appearance in weeks, waving and giving a thumbs up to the crowd outside the hospital. Despite appearing frail and struggling to speak, he addressed the crowd, thanking them for their support. He then returned to the Vatican to continue his recovery at his residence in Casa Santa Marta, where doctors advised he would need at least two months to convalesce fully.
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He made his first public appearance in weeks before leaving hospital
Pope Francis was hospitalized on February 14 at Rome's Gemelli Hospital, where he was treated for a severe respiratory infection and double pneumonia. The 88-year-old pontiff's health crisis was the most serious of his 12-year papacy, with doctors reporting two very critical episodes during which his life was in danger.
On March 23, Pope Francis made his first public appearance in weeks, greeting a crowd of people who had gathered outside the hospital. He waved from the window, gave a thumbs up, and offered a blessing. Although he appeared frail and struggled to speak, he addressed the crowd, thanking them and acknowledging a woman holding flowers.
The pope's recovery was celebrated by the crowd, who chanted "Viva il papa!" and "Papa Francesco." Following his appearance, he was discharged from the hospital and returned to the Vatican, where he will continue his recovery at his residence in Casa Santa Marta. Doctors advised that he will need at least two months to convalesce and should avoid meetings with large groups during this period.
Pope Francis's discharge from the hospital was considered a miracle by his medical team, who had previously stated that he was not "out of danger." During his hospitalization, the pope experienced improvements in his respiratory and motor functions, and he continued to work, sending messages and concelebrating Mass. Despite his health challenges, he demonstrated determination and a positive attitude throughout his treatment and recovery process.
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Doctors said he would need time to fully recover
Pope Francis was hospitalized on February 14 at Rome's Gemelli Hospital, where he was treated for a severe respiratory infection, bronchitis, and bilateral pneumonia. The 88-year-old pontiff's health crisis was the most serious of his 12-year papacy. During his hospitalization, he experienced two critical episodes in which his life was in danger, and his oxygen saturation dipped to a dangerously low level.
After 38 days of treatment, Pope Francis was discharged from the hospital on March 23. He made his first public appearance in weeks, waving and giving a thumbs up to the crowd outside the hospital. Despite his frail appearance and struggles with speaking, he addressed the crowd, thanking them and offering a blessing.
Doctors said that Pope Francis would need time to fully recover from his illness. Dr. Sergio Alfieri, the head of the medical team, described the two-month period of convalescence as "very important." During this time, the Pope will continue his treatment and physiotherapy while gradually returning to work and avoiding meetings with large groups. Dr. Luigi Carbone, the Vice-Director of the Vatican's healthcare service, noted that while the Pope's voice is improving, he needs more time to heal from the other infections he has been fighting.
The Pope's discharge from the hospital was considered a miracle by his doctors, who were unsure if he would survive. Dr. Alfieri expressed his gratitude, saying, "It was a miracle that he left the hospital," and emphasized that the Pope is now ""not in danger." The leader of the Pope's medical team, Dr. Alfieri, also advised the pontiff to change his vigorous habits, at least temporarily, to facilitate his recovery.
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Frequently asked questions
Pope Francis was admitted to Rome's Gemelli Hospital on February 14, 2025, for a case of bronchitis, which developed into double pneumonia.
Pope Francis was in critical condition for part of his hospitalisation, suffering two "critical episodes" where his life was in danger. He received oxygen therapy and was placed on a non-invasive ventilator.
Pope Francis was in the hospital for 38 days.
Pope Francis was discharged from the hospital on March 23, 2025, and returned to the Vatican to continue his recovery at his residence in Casa Santa Marta. He made his first public appearance in five weeks, waving and giving a thumbs up to the crowd from a balcony.
