Pope Francis not in ‘immediate danger of death’, but condition still ‘fragile’, doctors say
Pope Francis, 88, remains hospitalized at Gemelli Hospital in Rome as he battles respiratory illnesses, including bronchitis and pneumonia.
While his condition is described as “fragile,” his medical team has confirmed that he is not in “immediate danger of death.”
The Vatican has been providing regular updates on the Pontiff‘s health, a move considered unusual given its traditionally reserved approach to such matters.
Dr. Sergio Alfieri, the lead physician overseeing the Pope’s care, addressed concerns during a press briefing on Friday. “Is he out of danger? No.
But if the question is ‘is he in danger of death?’, the answer is ‘no’,” Dr. Alfieri stated.
He emphasized that Pope Francis is at risk of complications, including sepsis, but noted that he remains in “good spirits,” has a healthy appetite, and is able to move out of bed.
The Holy See has been releasing two official health updates daily since the Pope was admitted on February 14 due to breathing difficulties.
This level of transparency is rare for the Vatican, prompting speculation about the gravity of the situation.
Christopher White, Vatican correspondent for the *National Catholic Reporter*, described this as “the most serious health crisis” of Pope Francis’s papacy.
A History of Health Challenges
The Pope’s current condition is compounded by his medical history.
At age 21, while living in Argentina as Jorge Mario Bergoglio, he had a portion of his right lung removed after suffering from pleurisy during an earlier bout of pneumonia.
This makes him particularly vulnerable to respiratory illnesses and could prolong his recovery.
White indicated that papal aides expect the hospitalization to last at least two weeks, followed by a lengthy recovery period within the Vatican.
He added that concerns are growing among Catholics worldwide about the Pope’s ability to fulfill his demanding role as leader of the global Church.
Resignation Speculation and Leadership Questions
The health challenges facing Pope Francis have reignited discussions about the possibility of papal resignation.
In 2013, his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, became the first pontiff in centuries to voluntarily step down.
While Pope Francis has not publicly expressed an intention to resign, Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline remarked during a Vatican news conference that “everything is possible” should the Pontiff’s recovery prove incomplete.
Related Posts
Despite his hospitalization, Pope Francis remains active, taking phone calls and managing paperwork.
Cardinal Aveline joked that “if you really want him to rest, you have to hospitalize him.”
However, questions about succession loom large. As White noted, “Any time there’s a health crisis, you wonder about the transition and who might next emerge as Pope.”
A Decade of Reform and Controversy
Since his election in March 2013, Pope Francis has been a transformative figure for the Catholic Church.
Breaking with tradition from his first public appearance, he asked the crowd in St. Peter’s Square to pray for him rather than offering a blessing.
Named *Time* Magazine’s Person of the Year in 2013, he quickly became known as a reformer.
Over the past decade, Pope Francis has introduced measures aimed at increasing transparency and inclusivity within the Church.
He has worked to address sexual abuse scandals and corruption, repealing laws that allowed bishops to ignore or cover up abuse cases.
He has also sought to make the Church more open to women and LGBTQIA+ individuals.
However, his tenure has not been without controversy.
Pope Francis has maintained conservative stances on issues such as abortion, birth control, IVF, and surrogacy, which remain points of contention among Catholics and observers worldwide.
Uncertain Future
As Pope Francis continues his recovery, questions about the future leadership of the Catholic Church persist.
His health challenges highlight the dual responsibilities of the papacy—not only as a spiritual leader but also as the head of a sovereign city-state with complex governance needs.
For now, Catholics around the world await further updates on their leader’s condition while contemplating what changes a new papal era might bring.
Whether or not Pope Francis decides to step down, his legacy as a reformer who sought to modernize the Church will remain a defining feature of his papacy.
