VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis, who has been battling double pneumonia for nearly three weeks, remained stable on Wednesday and experienced no new breathing crises, according to the Vatican.
The 88-year-old pontiff, admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on February 14, has been under continuous medical care. While his condition remains serious, the Vatican reported a positive development—he was able to do some work and spent much of the day in an armchair, marking his first work-related activity since February 27.
Despite this progress, doctors maintain a “guarded” prognosis, indicating he is not yet fully out of danger. The pope is still receiving high-flow oxygen therapy and will continue to be placed on non-invasive mechanical ventilation overnight to assist his breathing.
For the first time in nearly two weeks, Pope Francis made a phone call to the Catholic parish in Gaza, continuing his efforts to support those affected by the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
Missed Public Appearances
The pope has not been seen in public since his hospitalization—the longest such absence in his 12-year papacy. His illness has forced him to miss key Church events, including Ash Wednesday services, where Cardinal Angelo De Donatis led the rites in his place.
During the service, De Donatis conveyed the Church’s solidarity with Pope Francis, stating, “We thank him for offering his prayers and his sufferings for the good of the entire Church and the whole world.”
The Vatican confirmed that Pope Francis participated in an Ash Wednesday service from his hospital suite.
Health Struggles
The pope has faced several health challenges in recent years, and his history of lung issues—having had part of one lung removed as a young adult—makes him particularly vulnerable to respiratory infections.
Double pneumonia, which inflames both lungs, remains a serious condition, and the Vatican has not yet provided a timeline for his recovery or return to public duties.