Rome (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Pope Francis is in Gemelli Hospital, Rome, with pneumonia. He is stable but at risk. Italian PM Giorgia Meloni visited him. The Vatican denies rumours of his resignation.
An 88-year-old Pope Francis has been in Rome’s Gemelli Hospital since February 14, 2025. He is undergoing treatment for a lung infection that has developed into pneumonia in both lungs. His physicians describe him as stable but still dangerous. They are worried about sepsis, which can be very serious.
According to officials, the Pope has trouble breathing but is not on a ventilator. He is using oxygen support when needed. There are small signs of improvement, but due to his age and past lung problems, doctors want to be careful. He will stay in the hospital for at least another week for monitoring and treatment.
Will Pope Francis resign amid health concerns?
Pope Francis is still working from his hospital room, even though he is sick. He can sit in a chair, hold meetings, and tell jokes. His doctor says he is alert and in good spirits. The Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, visited him and said he seemed well. His work has been cut back so he can focus on getting better.
He wants to stay updated about his health and Vatican matters. Doctors say there is no immediate danger to his life, but they are being careful because of his lung problems. They want him to get strong before he returns to his full schedule.
There are rumours that Pope Francis might resign because of his health. Some reports say his meetings with 2 Italian cardinals could mean he is preparing to step down. Discussions concerning his age and health problems have resulted from this.
Pope Benedict XVI resigned in 2013 due to health concerns. The Vatican, however, claims that these rumours are not true. They state that Pope Francis is still in charge of the Catholic Church and is making important decisions from the hospital.
According to the sources from the Vatican, he is feeling good and is meeting visitors. The Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, visited him and said he seemed alert. They do not think he is planning to resign.
The Pope has said he would consider resigning if his health got bad, but he does not think that time has come. Vatican officials say he is focused on his recovery and still committed to his role.
