Pope Francis Battles Pneumonia Amid Mild Kidney Issues

VATICAN CITY, February 23, 2025 — Pope Francis remains in critical condition as the Vatican reported that recent blood tests have shown mild signs of kidney insufficiency that are currently under control. The 88-year-old pontiff has been battling pneumonia in both lungs since his hospitalization over a week ago.

According to a statement from the Vatican, the pope has not experienced any respiratory crises since last night and continues to receive oxygen support. He participated in a Sunday Mass from his hospital room on the 10th floor of the Gemelli hospital, alongside his caregivers.

“The complexity of his clinical picture and the wait required for the pharmacological therapies to take effect means that the prognosis remains guarded,” the Vatican noted.

Earlier on Sunday, the Vatican stated that the pope had required high flows of oxygen after suffering a respiratory crisis but had a peaceful night in the hospital. He will remain hospitalized following his pneumonia diagnosis and did not deliver the weekly Angelus on Sunday, doing so for the third time in his 12-year papacy.

In a sermon text sent to the press ahead of time, Pope Francis expressed gratitude to the medical staff for their dedication as his treatment continues.

His condition had reportedly improved earlier in the week, with the Vatican declaring he was responding positively to treatment for pneumonia.

Pope Francis was admitted to the hospital in Rome on February 14 for tests related to a respiratory tract infection before being diagnosed with pneumonia via a subsequent CT scan.

Originally from Argentina, the pontiff has a history of respiratory vulnerabilities, having suffered a severe pneumonia as a young man that led to part of a lung being removed. In 2021, he underwent surgery to remove part of his colon due to diverticulitis, and he was hospitalized for bronchitis in 2023. He has also experienced two falls in recent months, resulting in injuries.

This current hospitalization marks the second-longest duration Pope Francis has spent in the hospital since becoming pope, with a record likely to be set on Monday.

Despite his doctors recommending complete rest, he has continued some work, maintaining daily phone contact with Rev. Gabriel Romanelli and his assistant, Father Yusuf Asad, in Gaza. They have communicated frequently since Israel’s bombing campaign began following the Hamas-led attacks on October 7.

According to Matteo Bruni, the Vatican spokesman, the pope has also been signing documents from his hospital bed. Visits have been limited to a few close collaborators; Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni visited him for 20 minutes earlier this week.

“We joked as always. He hasn’t lost his proverbial sense of humor,” Meloni remarked in a statement.