Is Pope Francis' Recovery a Sign of Hope? Vatican Provides Update on His Condition

Candles and a balloon featuring an image of Pope Francis create a heartfelt display in a nighttime vigil setting.

BY  NEWS BLEND 360

Updated 10:32 PM EST, February 24, 2025

ROME (AP) — Pope Francis remained in critical condition on Monday but showed slight improvement in lab tests and resumed some work, according to the Vatican. This included calling a parish in Gaza City, with which he has maintained contact since the conflict there began.

The Vatican’s evening update was more optimistic than in recent days, as the 88-year-old Francis battles pneumonia in both lungs at Rome’s Gemelli hospital. It was released just before the Vatican’s No. 2 led a solemn nighttime Rosary prayer in St. Peter’s Square, reminiscent of the vigils when St. John Paul II was nearing the end of his life.

“For 2,000 years the Christian people have prayed for the pope when he was in danger or sick,” Cardinal Pietro Parolin addressed the rain-soaked piazza. Standing on the same platform where Francis typically presides, Parolin noted that since Francis was hospitalized, a wave of prayers for his recovery has risen from around the globe.

“Starting this evening, we want to join this prayer publicly here, in his home,” Parolin said, expressing hope that Francis “in this moment of illness and trial” would recover swiftly.

The Argentine pope, who had part of one lung removed in his youth, has been hospitalized since February 14, and doctors have described his condition as precarious, considering his age, frailty, and existing lung disease.

In Monday's update, it was reported that he hadn't experienced any further respiratory crises since Saturday. He continued to use supplemental oxygen, but with slightly reduced flow and concentrations. The minor kidney insufficiency detected on Sunday was not currently concerning, according to doctors, though his prognosis remained cautious.

On Monday morning, Francis received the Eucharist and resumed work in the afternoon.

"In the evening, he called the parish priest of the Gaza parish to express his paternal closeness," the statement said.

For over a year, Francis has been checking in daily via video call with the Argentine priest, Rev. Gabriel Romanelli, who leads the Catholic community at the church, which served as a shelter for Palestinians during Israel's war. Romanelli had reported receiving a call from Francis soon after his hospitalization, but not since. He sent Francis a video, and the pope called to thank him, according to the Vatican.

The Vatican stated that Francis was in good spirits, not in pain, and not receiving artificial nutrition. His work included reading and signing documents, and indeed, the Vatican's daily noon bulletin has featured new bishop nominations nearly every day, even though most were pre-decided.

At the Gemelli hospital, the atmosphere was somber. Bishop Claudio Giuliodori led an emotional, crowded Mass in the chapel named for John Paul, who was frequently hospitalized there. Among the estimated 200 attendees were individuals in white doctor’s coats or green surgical scrubs, some kneeling in prayer.

"We are very sorry. Pope Francis is a good pope, let’s hope he pulls through. Let us hope," said a tearful Filomena Ferraro, who was visiting a relative at Gemelli on Monday. "We are joining him with our prayers, but what else can we do?"

Doctors have cautioned that the primary risk to Francis is sepsis, a serious infection that can develop as a complication of pneumonia. So far, there has been no mention of sepsis in the medical updates released by the Vatican.

This hospitalization, now reaching 10 full days, marks Francis’ longest stay as pope. He previously spent 10 days at Rome’s Gemelli hospital in 2021 after undergoing surgery to remove 33 centimeters (13 inches) of his colon.

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This story has been corrected to indicate that doctors identified early stages of kidney insufficiency, not failure.