“Pope Francis had a peaceful night, a good night's sleep,” Matteo Bruni, director of the Vatican press office, told several journalists February 15, 2025, the day after the Pontiff was hospitalized. "Treatments and therapy are continuing," he added.
After keeping five morning appointments on February 14, the Pope was admitted to the hospital later in the day. For more than a week, he'd been battling bronchitis, and initial exams in the hospital showed a respiratory tract infection. The Pope also had a slight fever.
Bruni reported that this morning, the Pontiff had breakfast and read the newspapers. His health update should be published at the end of the day.
In March 2023, Pope Francis was hospitalized with infectious bronchitis.
The Holy Father's respiratory strength is particularly delicate since in 1957, when he was in his early 20s, he had a severe respiratory infection that led to the removal of part of one lung. He would later say that a nurse saved his lifeon that occasion.
In addition to his vulnerability to respiratory infections, the Pope has suffered two falls in recent weeks.
Fever cleared
A Vatican source told I.MEDIA that when he woke up, the Pope no longer had a fever, although this did not indicate significant improvement. “He is still on antibiotics; we will have to see how he reacts,” the source said.
Pope Francis could remain at the Gemelli for several more days to treat the infection; he has canceled most of his appointments until Monday. The question of leading the midday Angelus, as the Pope usually does at noon on Sundays, has not yet been decided. He has in the past been able to lead the Angelus from the balcony of the hospital, as in the picture below.
Although the Holy See has not provided any details about the Pope's hospitalization, he is said to be staying in an apartment on the 10th floor of the Roman polyclinic. Known as the “hospital of the popes,” it has a suite reserved for pontiffs, put into use since the 1981 assassination attempt on John Paul II.
Cancelled Jubilee events
In the early evening on February 14, the Vatican sent out a three-line medical bulletin to give an update on the Pope, who had been hospitalized earlier in the day.
“The Holy Father, due to the worsening of his bronchitis in recent days, has undergone specialized examinations and has begun medicine treatment. The first tests carried out reveal an infection of the respiratory tract. His clinical condition is acceptable. He has a slight fever,” said the brief statement.
The Holy See press room exceptionally stayed open until 7:30 pm, and Bruni said that the Pope was "serene, in good spirits, and had read some newspapers."
The Pope could remain at Gemelli for several days to treat this infection. Some Italian media are talking about a five-day hospitalization.
The Holy Father was due to hold a Jubilee audience in Paul VI hall on Saturday (the audiences that have been added to the Wednesday public audiences). He was also to have presided over the Jubilee Mass for artists on Sunday. Also as part of the Jubilee, he had planned to visit the Cinecittà film studios next Monday. This visit has also been officially canceled.
According to the Italian agency ANSA, the “papal suite” at the Gemelli has a bedroom, a bathroom, and a small living room with a sofa bed for the pope's entourage. The head of the Catholic Church can also pray or celebrate mass in a small chapel.
