Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 3, 2025
2 min readLast updated: January 25, 2026
Pope Francis suffers respiratory issues due to double pneumonia, requiring ventilation. His prognosis is guarded, with a history of lung problems.
By Joshua McElwee
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) -Pope Francis suffered two episodes of "acute respiratory insufficiency" on Monday, the Vatican said, a setback for the 88-year-old pontiff as he battles double pneumonia.
Francis, who has been in Rome's Gemelli Hospital since February 14, is again receiving "non-invasive, mechanical ventilation" to help with his breathing.
"Today, the Holy Father experienced two episodes of acute respiratory insufficiency, caused by a significant accumulation of endobronchial mucus," the latest detailed medical update said.
The pope also suffered a bronchospasm, akin to an asthma attack, which required doctors to perform two bronchoscopies, or procedures to inspect his air passages.
The pope's prognosis remained "guarded", the statement said, which means Francis is not out of danger.
A Vatican official, who did not wish to be named because he was not authorised to discuss the pope's health, said the pontiff's blood tests on Monday had remained stable.
The pope's doctors believe the respiratory episode was part of his body's normal response in fighting infection, the official added.
There had been relatively upbeat statements about Francis' condition over the weekend, after a previous bronchospasm on Friday.
The pope received ventilation after that earlier episode, but switched on Sunday to receiving oxygen from a small tube placed under his nose.
Francis has experienced several bouts of ill health over the last two years and is prone to lung infections because he had pleurisy as a young adult and had part of one lung removed.
Double pneumonia is a serious infection in both lungs that can inflame and scar them, making it difficult to breathe.
He has not been seen in public since entering hospital, his longest absence from view since his papacy started in March 2013, and his doctors have not said how long his treatment might last.
(Reporting by Joshua McElwee, editing by Alvise Armellini, Sharon Singleton and Kevin Liffey)
Pope Francis suffered two episodes of acute respiratory insufficiency and was diagnosed with double pneumonia.
He is receiving non-invasive mechanical ventilation to assist with his breathing.
His prognosis remains guarded, indicating that he is not out of danger despite stable blood tests.
He has a history of lung issues, including pleurisy and having part of one lung removed.
He has not been seen in public since entering the hospital on February 14, marking his longest absence since becoming pope.
Explore more articles in the Headlines category
