Pope Francis, who has been hospitalised for two weeks with pneumonia in both lungs, spent a peaceful night after experiencing a breathing crisis, the Vatican announced on Saturday, as Catholics worldwide prayed for his recovery.
The 88-year-old pontiff was placed on a ventilator following an “isolated” breathing crisis on Friday, raising concerns about his health.
“The pope spent a peaceful night and is resting,” the Holy See stated. A Vatican source added, “There have been no further crises like yesterday. The pope woke up, had breakfast, and read the newspapers as usual.”
Doctors have indicated that the next 24 to 48 hours will be crucial in determining whether his condition worsens. The Vatican source confirmed that the pope’s prognosis remains “reserved.”
On Saturday, pilgrims continued gathering outside Rome’s Gemelli hospital despite the rain, lighting candles and praying at the foot of a statue of John Paul II. An elderly man stood under an umbrella for several minutes with a lit candle before placing it carefully at the statue’s base. A group of nuns also prayed for the pontiff, while handwritten messages and balloons bearing Francis’s image were placed outside.
Recovery Will Take Time
Medical experts caution that Francis’s age and pre-existing respiratory issues mean that a full recovery will take time.
The pope, who leads nearly 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide, had part of a lung removed as a young man and has faced increasing health challenges in recent years. He is prone to bronchitis and suffers from hip and knee pain, which has left him reliant on a wheelchair.
Despite his condition, Francis has continued to work from his hospital suite on the Gemelli’s 10th floor. He has also been doing breathing exercises between periods of rest and prayer, according to Vatican officials.
This marks the fourth hospitalisation of his nearly 12-year papacy and his longest stay to date. In recent years, he has undergone colon surgery, a hernia operation, and a previous hospitalisation for bronchitis.
Speculation About Resignation
Amidst his health struggles, speculation has grown over whether Francis might consider stepping down, particularly as his schedule remains packed ahead of the Holy Jubilee Year.
“If the pope recovers, many believe he will want to complete the Jubilee Year, but by the time he turns 89, he may have to confront the question of resignation,” said Italian Vatican analyst Marco Politi.
Francis has previously stated he would be open to resigning, following the example of his predecessor, Benedict XVI, who stepped down in 2013 due to declining health. However, before his hospitalisation, Francis repeatedly insisted that the time for such a decision had not yet come—and perhaps never would.
