Doctors say Pope Francis’ health shows 'slight improvement'
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — While Pope Francis remains hospitalized for pneumonia in both lungs, work continued as usual at the Vatican on Wednesday (Feb. 26) as it announced the creation of new Curial offices and the appointment of bishops.
“The Holy Father’s clinical conditions in the last 24 hours have shown a further, slight improvement,” read a statement shared by the Holy See from the pope’s doctors on Wednesday.
After an asthmatic respiratory attack on Saturday, followed by medical reports of mild kidney failure, Pope Francis remains in a critical but stationary condition at the Gemelli Hospital in Rome. Blood tests and CT scans also showed mild improvement.
On Wednesday, doctors said Francis’ kidney failure “has subsided” and a CT scan of his chest “showed a normal progression of the lung inflammation.” Blood tests also confirmed the pope’s health is improving.
After initial optimism about the pope’s condition, doctors said that due to his advanced age and preexisting conditions, Francis remains in critical condition. In their statement on Wednesday, doctors said that despite the promising results of the medical tests, “the prognosis remains guarded.”
Francis has not had further acute respiratory attacks since Saturday, but he continues to receive high-flow oxygen. The doctors also said he is continuing respiratory physiotherapy.
Candles, flowers, notes and more are left by Catholic faithful praying for Pope Francis’ recovery outside Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome, Feb. 24, 2025. (RNS photo/Claire Giangravé)
The pope admitted himself to the hospital on Feb. 14 after suffering from bronchitis for over a week, which he treated with cortisol and IV antibiotics. Doctors at the Gemelli Hospital, which traditionally caters to the pope’s health concerns, determined the pope had pneumonia in both lungs caused by a polymicrobial infection.
Francis has resumed his work in the past few days, meeting with close collaborators while in the hospital and returning to his custom of making daily calls to the Catholic parish of the Holy Family Church in Gaza. He has received the Eucharist every morning.
On Tuesday, the pope called for a consistory, or a gathering of cardinals, to discuss canonization causes.
While no date was named for the consistory, rumors and media reports quickly speculated about the meaning behind the announcement. His predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, announced his sudden decision to step down as pope after calling for a consistory in 2013.
During the past three evenings, Vatican cardinals and faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City to pray the rosary for the pope’s recovery. On Wednesday evening, the dean of the college of cardinals, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, led the prayer service.