Pope Francis observes Ash Wednesday at the hospital as his condition remains stable
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Pope Francis’ condition remained stable on Wednesday (March 5), according to a Vatican statement relaying his doctors’ reports. As Francis is being treated for pneumonia in both lungs at the Gemelli Hospital in Rome, the Vatican prepares to celebrate Lenten events without the pontiff.
The pope suffered two acute respiratory insufficiencies on Monday and as a result had to receive noninvasive mechanical ventilation during the night. While he continues to receive mechanical ventilation at night, he did not show further episodes of respiratory insufficiency, the Vatican statement said.
He continues to receive high-flow oxygen during the day, the statement added, and he increased respiratory physiotherapy and active motor therapy, suggesting the pope is able to move.
The #Ashes remind us of who we are, which does us good. It puts us in our place, smooths out the rough edges of our narcissism, brings us back to reality, and makes us more humble and open to one another. None of us is God; we are all on a journey. #Lenthttps://t.co/o87vq2snzE
— Pope Francis (@Pontifex) March 5, 2025
“He spent the day in a chair,” the Vatican statement said, adding that in the morning he participated in the Ash Wednesday blessing and received the ashes and the Eucharist on the 10th floor of the hospital.
“He then dedicated himself to some work activities,” the statement said, adding that the pope resumed his daily routine of video calling the Catholic parish of the Holy Family Church in Gaza.
According to Vatican sources, the pope’s pneumonia is evolving normally with antibiotic treatment, and Francis is collaborating in his therapies and his mood remains good.
Doctors also underlined the lack of respiratory crises he’s experienced in the last two days, the Vatican sources said, but Pope Francis’ complex clinical situation requires further time to make an evaluation of his prognosis.
“Given the complexity of the clinical picture, the prognosis remains reserved,” the statement said.
Francis admitted himself to the hospital on Feb. 14 after over two weeks of bronchitis. Doctors found he had a polymicrobial infection causing pneumonia in both lungs and began antibiotic therapy.
The 88-year-old pontiff has been susceptible to respiratory infections his entire life, which resulted in a portion of his lung being removed when he was a youth in Argentina.
The pope has canceled his events for next weekend, given the prolonged hospitalization. Francis’ absence raises question about the logistics and organization of the Lenten celebrations leading up to Easter. This year, the Catholic Church is celebrating the 2025 Jubilee year, in which millions of pilgrims are expected to visit Rome and the Vatican to obtain forgiveness for their sins.
Francis’ closest collaborators and Vatican prelates have taken the pope’s place in leading the celebrations and events for Lent and the Jubilee, but the prospect of an Easter celebration without the pope might be a challenge for the church and the Vatican.