Italy Pope Francis spends a "quiet night" in hospital
Pope Francis has survived his third night in hospital without complications. The 88-year-old "rested well, spent a quiet night, had breakfast and devoted himself to reading the newspapers", the Holy See spokesperson announced.
17.02.2025, 12:03
SDA
The head of 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide has been hospitalized in a clinic in Rome since Friday. According to the Vatican, Francis is suffering from a respiratory infection.
The doctors at the Gemelli Clinic have ordered him to take "absolute rest", the Vatican announced. The pontiff therefore had to cancel all his planned appointments at the weekend and at the beginning of the week. In a new bulletin on the Pope's state of health, which the Vatican publishes daily, it was stated on Sunday evening that his clinical condition was "stable". It remains to be seen how long Francis will have to stay in hospital.
Francis is the second oldest pope in history
As several Italian media reported, Francis has been on the phone with members of the small Catholic community in the Gaza Strip since he was admitted to hospital. According to the Pope, he has been in daily contact with those responsible for the parish in the coastal strip over the past few months. There was no official information from the Vatican.
At the age of 88, the Argentinian-born Pope is now the second oldest Pope in history. For more than a week, it had been apparent that his health was becoming increasingly difficult. His voice broke several times during public appointments. He hardly ever left his residence in the Vatican, the Casa Santa Marta. According to media reports, doctors had been recommending that he go to hospital for treatment for some time.
