Pope Francis, who has been battling pneumonia in both lungs, remains in a fragile state but has shown signs of slight improvement, the Vatican reported on Tuesday.
The 88-year-old pontiff was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital on February 14 with breathing difficulties and bronchitis. While his condition initially worsened, prompting worldwide prayers from the Catholic faithful, recent updates suggest a modest recovery.
“The Pope rested well throughout the night,” the Vatican stated on the 12th day of his hospital stay.
A Monday evening update offered a more hopeful outlook, noting that his “critical clinical conditions… show a slight improvement.” The Vatican also confirmed that Francis had suffered no further respiratory attacks since Saturday, when he required high-flow oxygen, and that some of his lab results had improved.
Despite these positive signs, his medical team remains cautious. Dr. Luigi Carbone, one of his physicians, emphasized that the Pope is still a “fragile patient” and that his treatment will take time to yield significant results. Given the complexity of his condition, doctors have refrained from making any prognosis.
During his hospital stay, Pope Francis has continued limited work from his special papal suite on the 10th floor, moving from his bed to an armchair and receiving the Eucharist each morning.
His declining health has sparked renewed speculation about a possible resignation. The Pope previously revealed that he prepared a resignation letter 12 years ago in case an illness left him unable to fulfill his duties.
The letter was entrusted to Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, then Secretary of State, upon Francis’ election in 2013. The Pope once told Spanish newspaper ABC, “I signed it and said: ‘If I should become impaired for medical reasons or whatever, here is my resignation.’”
He added that the letter was likely passed on to Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Bertone’s successor. Jokingly, Francis remarked, “Now someone will run up to Bertone [and say] ‘Give me that piece of paper!’”
For now, the Vatican remains focused on his recovery, with no official discussions regarding potential resignation.
