Pope Francis remains stable, chest scan confirms improvements
Topic:Religious Leaders
11m ago11 minutes agoThu 13 Mar 2025 at 4:28am
Pope Francis in a wheelchair
Pope Francis remains in a stable condition in hospital. (Reuters: Remo Casilli)
In short:
A recent chest scan has confirmed improvements in the condition of Pope Francis, according to the Vatican.
The pope was admitted to Rome's Gemelli hospital on February 14 with a severe respiratory infection.
The Vatican has not given a timeframe for his discharge from hospital.
Pope Francis remains stable in hospital and a recent chest scan confirmed improvements in his condition, the Vatican said on Wednesday.
The update marks a further sign of progress as the 88-year-old pontiff battles double pneumonia.
The pope was admitted to Rome's Gemelli hospital on February 14 with a severe respiratory infection that has required evolving treatment.
In its latest medical update, the Vatican said the pope's clinical condition was stable.
It said a chest X-ray performed on Tuesday had "confirmed improvements observed in previous days".
The pope has been described as in a stable or improving condition for more than a week, but the Vatican has not given a time frame for his discharge from hospital.
A close-up of an old man in glasses and a white hat speaks into a microphone and gestures.
The Vatican has not given a time frame for the pope's discharge from hospital. (Reuters: Ciro De Luca)
His doctors said on Monday that he was no longer in immediate danger of death, after three weeks of treatment that included four acute respiratory crises for the pontiff.
Francis is prone to lung infections because he had pleurisy as a young adult and had part of one lung removed.
He has been receiving oxygen throughout his stay in hospital, while also undergoing respiratory physiotherapy to help with his breathing.
The pope has also continued with physical therapy to help with mobility.
Francis has used a wheelchair in recent years due to knee and back pain.
He has not been seen in public since entering hospital, the longest such absence of his papacy.
Doctors not involved in the pope's care said he is likely to face a long, fraught road to recovery, given his age and other medical conditions.
The Vatican has not released any images of Francis in hospital, but the pope did record a brief audio message to thank well-wishers on March 6.
Posted11m ago11 minutes agoThu 13 Mar 2025 at 4:28am
Copy link
X (formerly Twitter)