Written By: Prerna Mittra | Updated : March 26, 2025 1:49 PM IST
Ever since he was in his early 20s, Pope Francis has struggled with many health issues, including lung problems. He has had multiple surgeries done. (Photo: Instagram/@franciscus)
Pope Francis health issues, a round-up: The head of the Vatican City, Pope Francis, continues to be in the hospital. Earlier this week, the Vatican announced that the 88-year-old has been diagnosed with double pneumonia. The pontiff was initially hospitalised on February 14, 2025 for a respiratory infection that quickly turned into a lung complication with the onset of 'bilateral pneumonia', a life-threatening health problem -- especially for the elderly -- affecting both the lungs. The pope is said to have been suffering from health issues practically all his life, but this time, there are fears that he may be in the last leg of his life journey. In fact, according to some news reports, the sovereign of the Vatican City and head of the Catholic Church reportedly told some close aides that he fears he "might not make it this time". Currently, doctors at the Gemelli University Hospital in Rome are treating Francis for a 'polymicrobial infection', caused by a mix of multiple pathogens like bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites.
As mentioned earlier, the pope has struggled with health problems for many decades. Here is a round-up of his long medical history, leading up to his recent hospitalisation.
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In 1957, when the pope was in his early 20s, he underwent a surgery to remove a part of his lungs impacted by a severe respiratory infection, in Argentina. This made him more susceptible to colds and respiratory issues.
In December 2020, the pope reportedly had to cancel his appearances at several celebratory events because of a 'painful sciatica' condition, which is essentially a pain that shoots up along the sciatic nerve, from the lower back to the leg. He was seen visibly struggling to get up and walk.
The following year, in July 2021, the pope reportedly spent 10 days in Gemelli Hospital, where he underwent a surgery to treat the narrowing of his large intestine. Doctors had to remove around 33 cm of his colon.
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Between March and April of 2023, Francis spent three days at Gemelli again for respiratory infection. He apparently felt a sharp pain in his chest and struggled to breathe. He was diagnosed with acute bronchitis. Later, Francis revealed it was, in fact, acute pneumonia.
In June 2023, the pope underwent another abdominal surgery to remove a scar tissue. Doctors also repaired an abdominal hernia, post which he was discharged, approximately nine days later.
