Pope stable, treatment continues [Thursday PM update]
March 03, 2025
Thursday PM: The Vatican has announced that because the Pope’s condition now appears stable, the press office will no longer deliver twice-daily updates on his status. The next scheduled update will be on Saturday, March 8.
Thursday AM: After a quiet night, Pope Francis resumed what has become his regular routine at Gemelli Hospital, alternating treatments and rest with some of his regular work.
During the day the Pope is receiving high-flow supplemental oxygen through a nasal tube; at night his breathing is assisted by “non-invasive mechanical ventilation.”
While pleased that the Pope has passed a few days without respiratory crises, doctors continue to say that more time is needed to evaluate his condition.
Wednesday AM: Pope Francis rested comfortably Tuesday night, the Vatican announced. During the night the Pope’s breathing was assisted by “non-invasive mechanical ventilation,” with a mask fixed over his face. In the morning the ventilator was removed; he continued to receive high-flow supplementary oxygen through a nasal tube.
The Vatican stated that the Pope’s condition “seems stable,” while acknowledging a “complex framework.”
Tuesday AM: After experiencing two respiratory crises on Monday afternoon, Pope Francis recovered sufficiently to enjoy a restful night, and no longer needs mechanical ventilation, the Vatican reports. The Pontiff is still receiving high-flow oxygen assistance through a nasal tube. Doctors continue to list his prognosis as “guarded,” warning that respiratory crises could occur again.
Monday PM: Pope Francis suffered two separate crises of “acute respiratory failure” on Monday afternoon, forcing doctors to use suction to clear mucus from his lungs and resume mechanical ventilation to provide the Pontiff with adequate oxygen.
The report from Gemelli Hospital indicated that the episodes were not caused by new infections; the mucus had accumulated in his airways from the original infections that caused his hospitalization. He does not currently have a fever, and remains alert. But doctors cautioned that new episodes of respiratory distress were possible.
Monday AM: “Pope Francis slept well throughout the night,” the Vatican announced on Monday morning, after an uneventful weekend in Gemelli Hospital.
The Pope participated in Sunday Mass in his hospital room, and also met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Secretary of State; and Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra, the sostituto. He issued a message of thanks to the faithful for their prayers, and otherwise spent the day resting, praying, reading, and undergoing treatment.
Doctors reported that since recovering from a dangerous respiratory crisis on Friday the Pope no longer needs mechanical ventilation, although he is still receiving high-flow supplementary oxygen. He has no fever and his condition is now stable.
However doctors also cautioned that the Pope’s condition remains uncertain. Vatican officials said that in any case, his release from the hospital “will certainly not be imminent.”
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