Pope Francis, 88, hospitalized with respiratory infection, has shown improvement, the Vatican said. The pontiff was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital on Feb. 14 after experiencing exacerbation of bronchitis and breathing difficulties.
The pope is receiving treatment for a respiratory tract infection and mild fever at the hospital. According to his doctors, he needs complete rest to recover. The Vatican reported that Pope Francis slept well on his first night in the hospital, had breakfast, and read newspapers.
Tests confirm the pope has a respiratory tract infection, and his medical team has ordered absolute rest to help him recover. The pope received the Eucharist in the morning and spent the day alternating between rest and prayer. He will not lead the Angelus prayer from his hospital room on Feb. 16 but will send the prepared text instead.
Pope Francis thanked people for their messages of concern and asked them to continue praying for him. The pontiff’s condition was initially described as “fair” by evening, with the Vatican press office reporting that he was receiving drug therapy.
Source: https://www.usccb.org/news/2025/hospitalized-respiratory-infection-pope-improving-vatican-says