Written By: Prerna Mittra | Updated : March 26, 2025 1:48 PM IST
Pope Francis is likely to stay in the hospital for as long as it takes to be completely healthy. (Photo: Instagram/@franciscus)
Pope Francis health update: Pope Francis continues to be in the hospital following a long spell of illness. The 88-year-old head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City was hospitalised last week for a respiratory tract infection. In a news release on February 14, 2025, the Vatican confirmed that the pope was admitted to the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital in Rome, following the "worsening of his bronchitis in recent days". The latest news regarding his health has been worrying his followers across the world. The Vatican has revealed that a scan shows the pope has onset of 'bilateral pneumonia', which is a severe type of pneumonia that affects both the lungs. While pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi, in bilateral pneumonia, this infection can spread to both the lungs, making it a more complicated and potentially life-threatening health problem.
The pontiff has been in poor health for a while now and has even had a long history of health problems. But, the current deterioration of his fragile health has led to fears that he may be in the final chapters of his life. Some news reports mentioned that the pope reportedly told some close aides he fears he "might not make it this time".
In an official statement, the Vatican said the pope had undergone a chest CAT scan earlier this week that led to the diagnosis of bilateral pneumonia that "requires further pharmacological therapy". There could be various factors behind bilateral pneumonia, including bacterial infections such as Streptococcus pneumoniae. Viral infections like influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and adenovirus may also cause it, besides fungal infections; aspiration; or being in an immunocompromised state.
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Symptoms of bilateral pneumonia may include high fever; chills; cough; chest pain or discomfort; shortness of breath; fatigue; disorientation, etc.
"Laboratory tests, chest X-ray, and the clinical condition of the Holy Father continue to present a complex picture," the Vatican said, adding that despite that, the pope "remains in good spirits". The Vatican also shared that the 88-year-old was diagnosed with 'polymicrobial infection', which required 'corticosteroid' and 'antibiotic' therapy, which was "making treatment more challenging".
Pope Francis is likely to stay in the hospital for as long as it takes to be completely healthy.
