Pope Francis Extends Hospital Stay Amid Battle with Respiratory Infection

Pope Francis, 88, will remain in Rome’s Gemelli Hospital as he battles a polymicrobial respiratory infection, the Vatican confirmed. The infection, caused by multiple microorganisms, has prompted doctors to modify his treatment plan.

A Vatican spokesperson stated that recent test results indicate a complex clinical condition, necessitating an extended hospital stay. While bacterial infections can be treated with antibiotics, viral infections require supportive care to manage symptoms. Despite the health concerns, the pontiff is reported to be in good spirits.

The pope’s hospitalization has led to the cancellation of several key events, including his weekly audience in St. Peter’s Square on Wednesday. Previously, he had been advised to rest, which prevented him from delivering Sunday’s Angelus prayer or presiding over a special Mass for artists marking the Catholic Church’s Jubilee Year.

Pilgrims and Catholic faithful worldwide have expressed concern and prayers for the pope’s recovery. Devotees have gathered outside the hospital, lighting candles and leaving flowers. Rev. Tyler Carter, a Catholic priest from the U.S., emphasized the pope’s importance as a spiritual leader, saying, “He is our father and shepherd, and we pray for his continued health.”

Pope Francis has faced several health setbacks in recent months, including a fall in his residence last month, which resulted in an arm injury, and another in December, leaving him with a visible bruise on his chin.