The Vatican’s health update on Monday evening revealed that Pope Francis is using high-flow oxygen therapy less frequently. In addition, the swelling in his hand, seen in a photo taken and published on Sunday, has already improved.
Newsweek reached out to the Holy See’s Dicastery for Communication via Vatican News for comment.
The Context
Pope Francis is the leader of the Roman Catholic Church, with approximately 1.3 billion followers worldwide.
The 88-year-old pontiff was hospitalized on February 14 with a case of bronchitis that eventually developed into pneumonia. Pope Francis’s condition advanced as respiratory factors led to him inhaling his vomit, which then required noninvasive mechanical ventilation.
Recent updates show an improved state as the Vatican says the pope worked part of the day.
What To Know
The Vatican’s statement about Pope Francis’s health on Monday read:
“The Pope’s condition is stable with slight improvements thanks to respiratory and motor therapy.
He is using high-flow oxygen therapy with nasal cannulae less frequently and, at times, can do without oxygen therapy. At night, he uses noninvasive mechanical ventilation.
The swelling in his hand, seen in the photo taken and published yesterday, is due to reduced mobility, but it has already improved today.
The Pope spent the day in prayer, resting, and doing some work.
The next medical bulletin is scheduled for Wednesday. Tomorrow evening, the Press Office will provide journalists with some general updates, as it did today.”
On Sunday, the Holy See Press Office released the first photo of Pope Francis since his hospitalization. The Pope could be seen in “prayer after concelebrating the Eucharist this morning,” the Vatican News account said on X, formerly Twitter.
AFP/Getty Images
What People Are Saying
Pope Francis, Sunday on X: “Our bodies are weak but, even like this, nothing can prevent us from loving, praying, giving ourselves, being for each other, in faith, shining signs of hope.”
Cardinal Timothy Dolan on X last month about Pope Francis’s health: “We’re all very concerned about our beloved Pope Francis. I’ve been very moved that every day when they’ve given the medical update, they say that his heart is very strong – that doesn’t surprise me at all. He’s a man of the heart!”
What Happens Next
The pope’s next medical update will be posted on Wednesday. It is unclear if or when the pope will be released from the hospital.
Update 3/17/25, 6 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.