Pope Francis’ Health Remains To Be In ‘Critical’ Condition, Vatican Reports

Eleanor Burnard

Feb. 22, 2025, 11:02 p.m.

Pope Francis’ health is in “critical condition” and he is currently being treated at the Gemelli hospital in Rome for pneumonia after experiencing breathing difficulties, the Vatican reported in a statement.

“The Holy Father’s condition remains critical. The Pope is not out of danger,” the Vatican announced.

“The Holy Father remains alert and has spent the day in a chair, though he is more unwell than yesterday.

“At the moment, the prognosis remains guarded.”

The Vatican also revealed that Francis had suffered from a “prolonged asthma-like respiratory crisis” that required him to undergo a blood transfusion, after doctors found that he had a condition associated with anaemia.

Pope Francis’ health remains to be in “critical condition”. (Photo by Sébastien Courdji/Getty Images)

The Vatican’s statement was drafted by the Pope’s medical team, and marks the first time his health was described as being “critical”.

The Vatican previously described Francis’ health as “complex”.

“The results of the tests carried out in recent days and today have demonstrated a polymicrobial infection of the respiratory tract, which has led to a further modification of the therapy,” the previous statement read.

Francis was initially sent to the hospital on February 14 after he experienced breathing difficulties for several days.

Francis was issued into the hospital after experiencing breathing difficulties on February 14. (Photo by Horacio Villalobos/Getty Images)

Doctors have since diagnosed the Pope with double pneumonia, an infection that can inflame and scar his lungs.

A senior member of Gemelli’s staff, Dr. Sergio Alfieri, addressed the media alongside the Vice Director of Francis’ healthcare service Dr. Luigi Carbone, and mentioned that there was a risk that the infection could spread into his bloodstream and grow into sepsis, stating that it could “be very difficult to overcome”.

Francis has served as the Pope since 2013 and is currently 88-years-old, making him incredibly vulnerable due to his age and fragility.

Francis has also experienced a fair share of health issues in the past, with him developing pleurisy as a young child and part of one of his lungs removed.

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