Italy Vatican: Francis spends a quiet night
According to official reports, Pope Francis spent another quiet night in hospital following his recent respiratory crisis. "The night was calm, the Pope is still resting," said a brief Vatican statement from the Gemelli clinic in Rome this morning. The 88-year-old head of the Catholic Church is being treated there as an inpatient for bilateral pneumonia.
02.03.2025, 09:22
02.03.2025, 09:23
SDA
Due to his illness, Francis will not be able to say the usual Sunday prayers, which normally attract tens of thousands to St. Peter's Square, for the third time in a row. This has never happened before during his time in office. The Pope has now been in hospital for 16 days with no release in sight. Francis has not been seen in public since he was admitted.
Vatican cautious with prognosis
On Friday, the Argentinian-born Pope had a second severe attack of breathlessness in hospital. According to the Vatican, the muscles in his airways suddenly cramped up. He seemed to be unable to breathe and had to vomit. He was then temporarily given mechanical ventilation. Regarding the further outlook, the Vatican stated on Saturday evening: "The prognosis remains cautious."
