Pope Francis Diagnosed With Bilateral Pneumonia, Vatican Confirms

The Holy See Press Office announced that Pope Francis, hospitalized late last week for bronchitis, has been diagnosed with bilateral pneumonia.

“Laboratory tests, chest X-rays, and the clinical condition of the Holy Father continue to present a complex picture,” The Holy See said in a message to journalists, per Vatican News.

“Nevertheless, Pope Francis remains in good spirits” and has “received the Eucharist,” while splitting his time between rest, prayer, and reading, the statement added. He asked that supporters continue praying for him and expressed gratitude for the worldwide outpouring of concern.

Update from the Holy See Press Office. pic.twitter.com/0flY1suEMs

— Vatican News (@VaticanNews) February 18, 2025

The pope was hospitalized on Friday due to a respiratory tract infection, which was later referred to as bronchitis by the Vatican.

Medical staff at Rome’s Gemelli hospital reportedly acted quickly after discovering clear signs of spread in both lungs, though there has been no public statement about the possible duration of this advanced treatment plan.

The statement describes the Pope as having a “polymicrobial infection, which has arisen in the context of bronchiectasis and asthmatic bronchitis, and has required the use of corticosteroid[s] and antibiotics, makes the therapeutic treatment more complex.”

Pope Francis, 88, has suffered from several bouts of illness since 2023, and he now requires a cane or wheelchair due to sciatic nerve pain and knee pain, per The Guardian.