As of February 25, 2025, Pope Francis remains hospitalized at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, where he has been receiving treatment since February 14 for double pneumonia and chronic bronchitis. The Vatican reports a “slight improvement” in his condition; there have been no new episodes of respiratory distress, and some laboratory tests have shown improvement. The Pope continues to receive oxygen therapy, though at a slightly reduced flow, and his mild kidney insufficiency is not currently a cause for concern. Despite his critical condition, Pope Francis has resumed some work and, on the evening of February 24, called a parish in Gaza.
The global Catholic community has been actively praying for the Pope’s recovery. In Rome, groups of nuns and pilgrims have gathered outside the hospital, offering prayers and singing hymns. Similarly, in Toowoomba, Australia, Bishop Ken Howell has called upon all parishes to include prayers for Pope Francis during masses.
In the cultural sphere, during the 2025 Screen Actors Guild Awards, actress Isabella Rossellini, starring in the film “Conclave,” extended her wishes for the Pope’s swift recovery. The film, which centers on the election of a new pope, has garnered critical acclaim and multiple award nominations.
Pope Francis, who turned 88 in December 2024, has faced several health challenges in recent years. Notably, he has a history of respiratory illnesses, having lost part of one lung to pleurisy as a young man and suffering an acute case of pneumonia in 2023. His current hospitalization marks his longest since becoming pontiff in 2013.
The Vatican continues to monitor his health closely, providing regular updates to the public. While there is cautious optimism due to the recent improvements, the situation remains delicate, and the global community remains united in hope and prayer for his full recovery.