Pope Francis was hospitalized on February 14, 2025, in Rome for diagnostic tests and treatment of bronchitis, raising concerns about the 88-year-old pontiff’s health. The Vatican confirmed that he was admitted to the Policlinico Agostino Gemelli after holding his regular audiences earlier in the day.
- Pope Francis hospitalized for bronchitis treatment
- Preliminary tests show respiratory tract infection
- Pope's schedule cleared for next few days
- Francis has a history of health issues
- Recent falls caused minor injuries
- Jubilee events have increased his workload
The Vatican announced that Pope Francis is currently receiving treatment for bronchitis after experiencing respiratory issues in recent weeks. Preliminary tests indicated that he has a respiratory tract infection and is running a slight fever. Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni reported that the pope is in “fair” condition and remains in good spirits, having read some newspapers during his stay.
In early February, the Vatican disclosed that Francis had been diagnosed with bronchitis and had modified his schedule to hold audiences at the Casa Santa Marta instead of the Apostolic Palace. This change was made to allow him to continue his activities while managing his health. In recent weeks, he has required assistance from aides to read his homilies and other addresses at public events.
Prior to his hospitalization, Pope Francis had a busy schedule, including meetings with various dignitaries such as Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico and CNN’s Chief Executive Mark Thompson. He has been actively presiding over numerous Jubilee events since the New Year’s Eve opening of the 2025 Jubilee, which occurs every 25 years in the Roman Catholic Church. The Vatican has announced that his agenda will be cleared for several days to facilitate his recovery.
Pope Francis has a history of health issues, including a partial lung removal as a young man. He was hospitalized for bronchitis in 2023 and underwent surgery for a hernia later that year. Additionally, he has fallen twice in recent weeks, sustaining minor injuries. During a recent general audience, he acknowledged his bronchitis and asked another to read his prepared remarks.
In summary, Pope Francis is currently hospitalized in Rome for bronchitis, with the Vatican confirming his fair condition. His busy schedule has been paused to allow for recovery, and he continues to receive support from his aides as he manages his health challenges.
