Pope Francis: Health remains critical, prayers from believers asked!

Pope Francis: Health remains critical, prayers from believers asked!

Vatican City, March 3, 2025 – Pope Francis has again suffered serious health problems. On Monday, the 88-year-old pontiff had to be treated at Gemelli Hospital for acute respiratory distress due to the accumulation of endobronchial mucus in his airways, a consequence of bilateral pneumonia. He was in a similar condition on Friday when he almost choked on his own vomit. His condition had been stable in recent days and doctors had been hopeful, but these setbacks still leave the prognosis uncertain, the Catholic Press reports.

According to official reports, the Pope's clinical condition remained stable with no relapses in the 24 hours following the latest episode, as he was awake, oriented and able to feed himself. The Vatican said he was temporarily given supplemental oxygen to ease his shortness of breath. However, due to repeated bronchospasms in which the respiratory muscles spasmed, he was forced to undergo temporary mechanical ventilation. These events and the fact that he has been hospitalized since February 14th have meant that the usual Sunday prayers in St. Peter's Square have been canceled for the third time in a row, something that has never happened before during his time in office, Watson reports.

Francis is suffering from severe pneumonia due to a combination of different pathogens. Additionally, he has had health problems in the past, including kidney problems. However, the hope of an early recovery remains questionable given his advanced age and complex health problems. The Vatican spokesman has stressed that Francis remains active and up-to-date during his hospital stays, but since he has not appeared in public for two weeks, speculation about possible successors is in full swing. Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin has taken over duties at the Vatican during this critical time.

The pope's health remains a major issue not only for the 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide, but also for the entire Catholic Church, which needs a guide to navigate these challenging times. As Francis continues to battle his health challenges, the world remains tuned to news and developments from the Vatican.