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Pope Francis remains in critical condition on his tenth day in the hospital, as millions of Catholics and global well-wishers offer prayers for his recovery. The 88-year-old pontiff, who is being treated for double pneumonia, faced a severe asthma-style attack on Saturday, which required blood transfusions due to a dangerously low platelet count.
While the Vatican reported Sunday that the pope had rested peacefully through the night, his condition is still described as “critical” and “not out of danger.” Pope Francis continues to receive oxygen through a nasal tube at Rome’s Gemelli hospital, where he has been since February 14.
In a message released Sunday, though written earlier, the pope expressed gratitude to his medical team, sharing his confidence in the treatment he is receiving. “I am confidently continuing my hospitalisation at the Gemelli Hospital, carrying on with the necessary treatment — and rest is also part of the therapy!” he said, while asking for prayers from his followers around the world.
Despite the severity of his illness, Pope Francis remains alert, though his health continues to deteriorate. His doctors have been closely monitoring his respiratory crises and anemia, with blood tests revealing low platelet counts. On Saturday, the Vatican shared that the pope had endured a prolonged respiratory crisis that required high-flow oxygen.
Pope Francis’ health crisis has drawn widespread concern, with people across the globe uniting in prayer for his recovery. Special masses have been held in cities like Buenos Aires, Mosul, and Rome, where communities have gathered to express their solidarity and offer their prayers. Pope Francis’ hometown of Buenos Aires, where he served as archbishop, saw TV screens displaying images of his good works, as locals also held a mass in his honor.
From Iraq’s Mosul, a city he visited in 2021, to Mexico, President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed hope for a swift recovery for the “great humanist” Francis, who remains the first pope from the Americas.
This alarming health scare has fueled speculation about the pope’s future, especially regarding the possibility of him stepping down, as Benedict XVI did in 2013. While Pope Francis has previously said it is not yet time for him to resign, his deteriorating health raises questions about how much longer he will be able to maintain his demanding papal duties.
Pope Francis has long maintained a grueling schedule, having recently completed a lengthy tour to the Asia-Pacific region, despite suffering from persistent health problems, including joint pain and surgeries for colon issues. The world waits with bated breath as millions join in prayer for his recovery.
