Pope Francis Marks Week in Hospital as Resignation Questions Arise/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Pope Francis, 88, remains hospitalized with pneumonia, showing slight improvement while continuing to work from his hospital room. As his hospital stay reaches one week, questions about potential resignation circulate, though the Vatican says there’s no indication he plans to step down. Global Catholics, including Filipinos, pray for his recovery.
Pope Francis Hospital Stay Quick Looks:
- One Week Hospitalized: Admitted Feb. 14 for bronchitis, later diagnosed with pneumonia and complex respiratory infection.
- Current Condition: Slight improvement; eating breakfast out of bed; heart functioning well.
- Treatment: Receiving antibiotics, rest, and therapies for asthmatic bronchitis and pneumonia.
- Resignation Speculation: Cardinals acknowledge possibility, but no indication Francis will step down.
- Francis’ Stance: Reiterated the papacy is for life but prepared a resignation letter early in his tenure.
- Health History: Past hospital stays in 2021 (colon surgery) and 2023 (hernia repair); prone to respiratory infections.
- Physical Challenges: Uses wheelchair for knee issues, overweight, and less physically active.
- Catholic Community Prayers: Masses and prayers offered globally, notably in the Philippines.
- No Conclave Preparations: Vatican dismisses rumors of immediate succession planning.
- Papal Work Continues: Despite hospitalization, he has appointed bishops and kept up official duties.
Pope Francis Marks Week in Hospital as Resignation Questions Arise
Deep Look:
Pope Francis, hospitalized for one week with pneumonia and a complex respiratory infection, continues to show signs of improvement as global prayers pour in for the 88-year-old pontiff. The Vatican reported Friday that Francis got out of bed to eat breakfast, with his heart functioning well, though doctors remain cautious about his recovery timeline.
Admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital on February 14 after a worsening bout of bronchitis, the pope was later diagnosed with infections involving bacteria, viruses, and the onset of pneumonia in both lungs, compounded by asthmatic bronchitis. While receiving “absolute rest,” he has maintained his workload, recently making bishop appointments from his hospital room.
Pope Francis’ condition isn’t life-threatening, but he’s not out of danger, his medical team said Friday as the 88-year-old pontiff marked his first week in a hospital with pneumonia on top of chronic bronchitis. Francis’ doctors delivered their first in-person update on the pope’s condition, saying that he will remain hospitalized at least all of next week. Doctors have diagnosed pneumonia in both lungs and a complex infection.
Resignation Rumors Surface:
As his hospital stay lengthens, speculation about a potential resignation has surfaced—fueled by comparisons to Pope Benedict XVI’s 2013 retirement. Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline of Marseille remarked, “Everything is possible,” while Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi suggested that if Francis could no longer engage directly with people—a hallmark of his papacy—resignation might be considered.
Despite the chatter, there is no evidence Francis is contemplating stepping down. In 2022, he confirmed having drafted a resignation letter upon taking office, yet has consistently emphasized that the papacy is a lifelong calling. After a 2021 surgery, he expressed frustration over rumors of conclave preparations, underscoring his commitment to continue.
Health Concerns for the Elderly Pontiff:
Francis’ medical history raises concerns about potential complications. Alongside being overweight and wheelchair-dependent due to knee issues, he had part of a lung removed in his youth and has faced recurring respiratory infections. Recovery from pneumonia, especially for patients of his age and health profile, can take up to two weeks or longer, outside doctors note.
This hospitalization marks his third major medical stay in four years:
- 2021: Underwent colon surgery to remove 33 centimeters of his intestine.
- 2023: Spent nine days recovering from hernia repair surgery.
- 2025: Currently hospitalized for pneumonia treatment.
Global Catholic Support:
Catholics worldwide are offering prayers, with a significant outpouring from the Philippines, home to Asia’s largest Catholic population. On Friday, hundreds gathered at Manila Cathedral for an hour-long prayer service, remembering the pope’s 2015 visit that drew an estimated 6 million attendees—the largest recorded papal mass gathering.
“The Philippines has a place very close to his heart,” noted Archbishop Charles John Brown, the Vatican’s ambassador to Manila.
Moving Forward:
While Francis remains stable, Vatican officials urge patience as treatments continue. No plans have been announced regarding future medical updates or possible extensions of his hospital stay. For now, the pope remains focused on recovery while fulfilling essential papal duties from his hospital quarters.
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