Pope Francis is no longer in critical condition, a Vatican source confirmed on Friday, as the 88-year-old pontiff continues to recover from pneumonia in both lungs.
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The news follows a series of clinical improvements after nearly two weeks of hospitalization at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital.
While Vatican officials have reported steady progress, they remain cautious. A source stated that “the critical phase has passed, for the moment,” but emphasized that the pope’s condition “remains complex” and that his prognosis is still “reserved.”
Francis was admitted to the hospital on February 14 after experiencing breathing difficulties. His condition worsened over the following days, developing into pneumonia, sparking global concerns for his health.
However, in recent updates, the Vatican has noted a marked improvement. Earlier this week, officials described his state as “critical but stable,” but by Thursday, they confirmed that his clinical condition was improving.
Crucially, the Vatican reported that there had been no recurrence of the severe breathing issues he experienced last weekend.
Despite these positive signs, medical experts caution that the pope’s age and history of respiratory issues mean a full recovery could take time.
The Vatican stated that “given the complexity of the clinical picture, further days of clinical stability are necessary before the prognosis can be resolved.”
Throughout his hospitalization, Francis has continued working, receiving updates and holding meetings from his special papal suite on the 10th floor of Gemelli Hospital.
The Vatican reported that he has been engaging in breathing exercises alongside periods of rest and prayer. This is his fourth hospital stay since becoming pope in 2013 and his longest to date.
Over the past few years, Francis has battled various health challenges, including colon surgery, a hernia operation, and persistent knee and hip pain that have left him reliant on a wheelchair.
With the Vatican preparing for the highly anticipated Holy Jubilee Year in 2025, speculation has grown about whether Francis might consider stepping down.
Vatican expert Marco Politi suggested that while the pope may wish to lead the church through the Jubilee celebrations, his advancing age could prompt difficult decisions.
He noted that if Francis recovers, many believe he will want to complete the Jubilee year, but once he turns 89, he may have to confront the question of whether to resign.
For now, the world watches closely as Pope Francis continues his recovery, with Vatican officials hopeful yet cautious about the road ahead.