Pope Francis remains in critical condition but shows ‘slight improvement,’ says Vatican

VATICAN CITY. Pope Francis remains critically ill as he continues to battle double pneumonia, but his condition has shown a “slight improvement,” the Vatican announced on Monday.

The 88-year-old pontiff is currently in his 11th night at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, marking the longest hospitalization of his nearly 12-year papacy.

“The clinical conditions of the Holy Father, in their critical nature, show a slight improvement,” the Vatican’s statement read. It added that the pope is still receiving oxygen, albeit “with slightly reduced flow and oxygen percentage.” The mild kidney insufficiency detected on Sunday was “not a cause for concern.”

A Vatican official, speaking anonymously as he was not authorized to discuss the pope’s condition, stated that Francis was eating normally and able to move about his hospital room.

Pope Continues Duties Amid Health Struggles

Despite his illness, Pope Francis resumed work on Monday afternoon and, in the evening, made a call to the Catholic parish in Gaza. He has frequently reached out to the war-torn region during the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.

On Sunday, the Vatican described the pope’s condition as critical for the second consecutive day. Reports on Saturday revealed that Francis had required a blood transfusion after experiencing a “prolonged asthma-like respiratory crisis.” However, the latest update indicated that he had not suffered further respiratory crises, and some of his laboratory test results “have improved.”

Double pneumonia is a severe infection that inflames and scars both lungs, causing breathing difficulties. The Vatican described the pope’s condition as “complex,” attributing it to multiple microorganisms.

Pope Francis has experienced recurrent health issues in recent years. His susceptibility to lung infections stems from a past battle with pleurisy as a young man, which led to the partial removal of one of his lungs.

Speculation Over the Pope’s Health and Church Leadership

The pope’s prolonged illness has sparked public speculation among senior figures in the Catholic Church.

New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan, though not closely associated with Pope Francis, remarked during a Sunday Mass homily that the pope was “probably close to death.” Meanwhile, German Cardinal Gerhard Müller, a former Vatican official known for his doctrinal disagreements with Francis, criticized those publicly speculating about a future conclave.

“The pope is still alive and this is a moment for prayer,” Müller told Italy’s Corriere della Sera. “If there is anyone who is looking to the future while Francis is in the hospital, that’s good for nothing.”

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, led a prayer service in St. Peter’s Square on Monday evening, attended by pilgrims and senior Church figures. The service will be held daily as the pope remains hospitalized.

“We pray that the Virgin Mary will sustain [Francis] in this moment of sickness and trial and help him recover his health soon,” Parolin said.

Global Prayers for Pope Francis

Outside Gemelli Hospital, groups of faithful gathered near a statue of the late Pope John Paul II, who was often treated at the facility during his papacy from 1978 to 2005. Among them was Maria Vozlv, a Ukrainian resident of Rome, who spoke of the pope’s significance to her homeland.

“We Ukrainians are really praying for him,” Vozlv said. “He needs to get well and come home.”

As Pope Francis battles his illness, the Catholic world remains united in prayer, awaiting further updates on his condition.