Pope Francis is stable but under close watch, Vatican says

Pope Francis’s condition has remained stable, the Vatican said Saturday evening, but it cautioned that his prognosis “remains guarded.”

The Vatican said in a statement that the Pope has received “non-invasive mechanical ventilation and long periods of high-flow oxygen therapy, consistently maintaining a good response to gas exchange.” Francis does not have a fever and his white blood cell count remains stable, the Vatican added.

Francis was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Feb. 14 for bronchitis and has since been battling pneumonia in both of his lungs.

He spent a peaceful night resting after he suffered a bronchial crisis the day before that caused a sudden worsening of his health, the Vatican said in an update earlier in the day. On Saturday evening the Vatican said that Francis did not experience any episodes of bronchospasm — a tightening of the muscles in the small airways of the lungs — throughout the day. 

On Friday afternoon, the Vatican said the 88-year-old pontiff had “an isolated crisis of bronchospasm” that resulted in “an episode of vomiting with inhalation,” raising concerns about a potentially major setback in the pope’s condition after more than two weeks in the hospital.

A bronchospasm occurs when the muscles that line the airways connecting the lungs to the windpipe tighten, limiting oxygen intake, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

The pope swiftly began noninvasive mechanical ventilation on Friday, to which he had a good response, the Vatican said, adding he remained “alert and oriented at all times.”

The Catholic Church’s more than 1 billion members worldwide have been on edge over the last several weeks, as Francis’ health has fluctuated. The Vatican has been issuing almost daily updates on the pope’s complex condition.

Last week, the Vatican issued a statement saying his condition was “critical,” and that he required oxygen therapy and a blood transfusion. By Wednesday, the pope showed “further slight improvement,” the Vatican said at the time, before he suffered a “sudden worsening” on Friday.

The pope has been battling health ailments over the past several years, including the flu and other respiratory problems. In 2021, he underwent surgery for a gastrointestinal disease called diverticulitis. He also had a procedure in 2023 for a hernia.

Throughout his most recent health problems, the Vatican maintains the pope has been “alert” and has continued to carry out some of his duties as the leader of the Catholic Church.

On Feb. 23, Francis issued a statement on X thanking well-wishers for their prayers and messages.

“I have recently received many messages of affection, and I have been particularly struck by the letters and drawings from children,” he wrote. “Thank you for your closeness, and for the consoling prayers I have received from all over the world!”

Hailing from Buenos Aires, Argentina, Francis was elected to the papacy in 2013. He is the first pope from the Americas.

Francis’ predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, shocked the world in 2013 when he announced his resignation, citing his “advanced age.” Benedict was the first pope to abdicate the papacy since Pope Celestine V resigned in 1294. Francis has vowed repeatedly over his nearly 12 years as head of the church that he would not resign.