The Holy See distributed the message the pope would have delivered at his weekly noon blessing if he were well enough
Doctors say Pope Francis has shown a ‘gradual, slight improvement’ in recent daysopen image in gallery
Doctors say Pope Francis has shown a ‘gradual, slight improvement’ in recent days (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)
Your support helps us to tell the story
Support Now
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.
Pope Francis has issued a message he would have delivered at his weekly noon blessing if he were well enough, as he continues his recovery from double pneumonia.
After more than three weeks in the hospital, doctors on Sunday said the 88-year-old is responding well to treatment and has shown a “gradual, slight improvement” in recent days.
While Francis didn’t appear for his weekly noon blessing for a fourth Sunday in a row, he did meet with his top deputies and the Holy See distributed a message, in which the Argentine pope thanked volunteers for the “miracle of tenderness” they offer others who are sick and experiencing a “night of pain.”
“Brothers and sisters, during my prolonged hospitalisation here, I too experience the thoughtfulness of service and the tenderness of care, in particular from the doctors and health care workers, whom I thank from the bottom of my heart,” read the message from Gemelli hospital.
“And while I am here, I think of the many people who in various ways are close to the sick, and who are for them a sign of the Lord’s presence.
“We need this, the ‘miracle of tenderness’ which accompanies those who are in adversity, bringing a little light into the night of pain.”
Catholic worshippers pray in St. Peter's Square at The Vaticanopen image in gallery
Catholic worshippers pray in St. Peter's Square at The Vatican (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)
Francis, who has chronic lung disease and had part of one lung removed as a young man, has remained in stable condition at Gemelli, with no fever and good oxygen levels in his blood for several days, doctors reported in a Vatican statement on Saturday.
The doctors said that such stability “as a consequence testifies to a good response to therapy.” It was the first time the doctors had reported that Francis was responding positively to the treatment for the complex lung infection that was diagnosed after he was hospitalised on February 14.
But they kept his prognosis as “guarded”, meaning he’s not out of danger. On Sunday morning, the Vatican reported he was resting after a quiet night.
In his absence, the Vatican’s day-to-day operations continued alongside celebrations of its Holy Year, the once-every-quarter-century Jubilee that brings millions of pilgrims to Rome.
On Sunday, Canadian Cardinal Michael Czerny, who is close to Francis, celebrated the Holy Year Mass for volunteers that Francis was supposed to have celebrated.
During the Mass in St. Peter’s Square, the giant banner bearing Francis’ papal coat of arms fluttered from the loggia of the basilica above. Even while in the hospital, Francis is very much still the pope and in charge of the Catholic Church.
That was evident too by the fact that the Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and chief of staff, Archbishop Edgar Pena Parra, visited the pope on Sunday, for the third time since he has been in the hospital. The Vatican has noted that such meetings are the routine way the pope governs while at the Vatican, making clear that he was getting essential work done from Gemelli.
Francis has been using high flows of supplemental oxygen to help him breathe during the day and a noninvasive mechanical ventilation mask at night.
He was hospitalised on February 14 for what was then just a bad case of bronchitis. The infection progressed into a complex respiratory tract infection and double pneumonia that has sidelined Francis for the longest period of his 12-year papacy and raised questions about the future.