Pope Francis remains hospitalized at Rome’s Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic due to a “complex clinical picture” related to a polymicrobial infection of the respiratory tract. The Vatican announced on Monday that medical tests showed Francis had this infection, which requires continued hospitalization.
The Pope was admitted last week for testing and bronchitis treatment. Doctors have described his condition as stable, with no fever, and he is undergoing prescribed treatment. Despite being in a fragile health state, Francis has shown good spirits and continued to perform some of his duties, including checking in on parishioners in Gaza.
A polymicrobial infection occurs when multiple microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites infect the body. The Vatican didn’t specify which type of polymicrobial infection Francis has, but it’s believed to be in the respiratory tract. Treatment typically involves antibiotics, although prolonged treatment may be necessary for certain infections.
Pope Francis is 88 years old and has a history of respiratory health issues, including surgery to remove part of his lung due to an infection. He was previously hospitalized in 2023 for bronchitis and in 2021 for a narrowing of the large intestine. Despite these challenges, Francis remains optimistic, stating that “The reality is, quite simply, that I am old.”
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/mollybohannon/2025/02/17/heres-what-we-know-about-pope-francis-health-as-vatican-reports-complex-clinical-picture