Pope Francis remains critical but stable after being hospitalized 11 days ago with bronchitis that developed into pneumonia in both lungs, according to the Vatican’s medical bulletin.
The pontiff has undergone a follow-up CT scan and resumed his work activities, sparking hopes for his recovery. However, some clerics worry that this latest downturn could be Francis’ last.
“It was so weird,” said Father Paul Alger, a 42-year-old priest from Augusta, Ga., who recalled the days leading up to Pope John Paul II’s death in 2005. “Francis has led the church for a dozen eventful and busy years, but his breathing became belabored as he struggled with respiratory infections.”
The faithful and clerics gathered in St. Peter’s Square on Monday evening for a rosary prayer session, focusing on Francis’ life rather than his illness. Bishop Manuel Nin called it “unhealthy” to fixate on something that was ultimately “in God’s hands.”
While some cardinals speculate about who might replace Francis if he were to pass away, others rallied around him in his time of need. A solemnity pervaded the square, with rain slicked cobbled stones and the faithful chanted invocations to the Virgin Mary.
The Vatican has announced that it will provide updates on Pope Francis’ condition as more information becomes available. The pontiff’s health is a subject of concern for the global Catholic community, but for now, he remains critical but stable.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/25/world/europe/pope-francis-condition-prayers.html