Pope Francis Hospitalized for Medical Evaluation

Pope Francis has been admitted to the hospital for medical evaluation, sparking global concern about his health. The Vatican has yet to release an official statement.

According to the Holy See Press Office, Pope Francis was admitted to Gemelli Hospital in Rome on Friday for treatment of a respiratory tract infection following a recent bout with bronchitis.

The 88-year-old pope has been subjected to specialized tests and is now receiving hospital drug therapy following a recent deterioration of his bronchitis, according to the statement. The Vatican reported that “his clinical condition is stable, with only a slight fever.”

According to Matteo Bruni, the director of the Holy See Press Office, the pope is feeling “serene” and in good spirits.

Prior to being hospitalized, his schedule was packed and included a meeting with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico.

Since being elected in 2013, Pope Francis has been hospitalized at Gemelli Hospital on four occasions, sparking concerns about his health. He had colon surgery in 2021 and hernia repair surgery in 2023. Additionally, he experiences recurrent respiratory problems linked to past pleurisy that resulted in the partial removal of a lung. His mobility is also affected by chronic sciatica and knee issues, which often necessitate the use of a wheelchair or cane.

The Vatican has canceled all of his scheduled events until at least Monday, February 17. The cancellations encompass a Saturday audience, Sunday Mass at Saint Peter’s Basilica, and a planned visit to the Cinecitta film studios in Rome on Monday.

Despite facing health challenges, Pope Francis has continued to carry out his papal duties and expressed willingness to resign should his health impede him from fulfilling these responsibilities. In his autobiography “Hope,” published in January 2025, he highlighted that “I am well” and remarked, “The Church is governed using the head and the heart, not the legs.”

The Gemelli Hospital, where the pope is presently undergoing treatment, has a longstanding history of providing care for pontiffs. Pope John Paul II received medical attention there on multiple occasions, including following the assassination attempt in 1981.