Pope Francis in critical but stable condition as Vatican announces key decisions

VATICAN CITY. Pope Francis remains in critical but stable condition as he continues to work from the hospital while battling double pneumonia, according to the Vatican. Despite his fragile health, the 88-year-old pontiff has approved key governing decisions, signaling that he is maintaining essential duties.

A Vatican statement released Tuesday evening confirmed that the pope had not suffered any new respiratory crises and that his blood parameters remained stable. He underwent a follow-up CT scan to assess his lung infection, though no results have been disclosed. Medical experts have stated that his prognosis remains guarded.

“In the morning, after receiving the Eucharist, he resumed work activities,” the Vatican’s official statement read.

Major Decisions Amid Health Crisis

Despite his hospitalization, Pope Francis met on Monday with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State, and Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra, the chief of staff. This marked the first confirmed meeting between the pope and Parolin since his hospitalization on February 14. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was previously the only known visitor outside the clergy, having met the pope on February 19.

During the meeting, Francis approved decrees for two new saints and five individuals for beatification—a crucial step toward sainthood. Additionally, he convened a consistory, a formal gathering of cardinals, to set dates for future canonizations.

While such approvals are routine when the pope is in good health, the urgency of these decrees while he remains critically ill has raised some questions. Some observers have drawn parallels to February 11, 2013, when Pope Benedict XVI announced his resignation during a similar consistory, citing his inability to keep up with the demands of the papacy.

Vatican journalist Giovanna Chirri, who famously broke the news of Benedict’s resignation after understanding his Latin announcement, dismissed speculations that Francis would follow suit. “I could be wrong, but I hope not,” she told the Associated Press. “As long as he’s alive, the world and the church need him.”

Pope Francis’ Stance on Resignation

Pope Francis has previously stated that he would consider resignation if he were ever afflicted with a long-term degenerative or debilitating condition that prevented him from fulfilling his papal duties. However, he has also reiterated that he views the papacy as a lifelong mission.

“If he ever feels he can no longer fully carry out the papal ministry, he would consider stepping down. And so would any pope,” said Austen Ivereigh, Francis’ biographer. However, the Vatican has dismissed current resignation rumors, with Cardinal Parolin stating over the weekend that such speculation was “useless” and that Francis’ health should remain the primary concern.

Ongoing Work and Public Support

Despite his hospitalization, the Vatican has continued releasing key documents and decisions approved by Pope Francis. On Tuesday, the Vatican published his message for Lent, announced new bishops for Brazil, appointed a new archbishop for Vancouver, and modified laws governing Vatican City.

Given his age and previous lung issues—having had part of one lung removed as a young man—Francis remains in a vulnerable position. While right-wing critics have circulated dire rumors about his condition, his allies and faithful followers have expressed hope for his recovery.

“I’m a witness to everything he has done for the church, with a great love for Jesus,” Honduran Cardinal Óscar Rodríguez Maradiaga told La Repubblica. “Humanly speaking, I don’t think it’s time for him to go to Paradise.”

Meanwhile, at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, where the pope is being treated, visitors and pilgrims have gathered in prayer. Among them was Hoang Phuc Nguyen, a Canadian visitor on a Holy Year pilgrimage, who stopped to pray at the statue of St. John Paul II outside the hospital.

“We heard that he is in the hospital right now and we are very worried about his health,” Nguyen said. “He is our father, and it is our responsibility to pray for him.”

As Pope Francis continues to receive medical care, the world watches closely, hoping for his recovery while the Vatican navigates his ongoing leadership amid uncertainty.