Pope Francis Has Restful Night Amid Clinical Improvements

| 02/28/2025

The Holy See Press Office said on Friday morning that Pope Francis had a restful fifteenth night in Rome’s Gemelli hospital, where he is being treated for bilateral pneumonia

A statue of St. John Paul II stands outside Rome’s Gemelli hospital February 27, 2025, while Pope Francis receives treatment for double pneumonia. (CNS photo/Lola Gomez)
A statue of St. John Paul II stands outside Rome’s Gemelli hospital February 27, 2025, while Pope Francis receives treatment for double pneumonia. (CNS photo/Lola Gomez)

“As in recent days, the night passed calmly, and the Pope is now resting,” read a Holy See Press Office statement on Friday morning, as Pope Francis receives treatment for bilateral pneumonia at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital. After waking up this morning, the Holy Father ate breakfast and read newspapers. He continues his treatment and breathing physiotherapy.

The Vatican also announced on Friday that Cardinal Angelo De Donatis, Major Penitentiary of Apostolic Penitentiary, will preside at the traditional celebration of the Ash Wednesday liturgy on the Aventine, which will take place on 5 March.

According to the Thursday evening press release, the Pope’s clinical condition continued to improve, though it remains “complex.” The Press Office added that his prognosis remains guarded.

“He alternated high-flow oxygen therapy with a Ventimask. Due to the complexity of the clinical picture, further days of clinical stability are needed to clarify the prognosis,” said the Thursday statement.

The Pope is continuing his respiratory physiotherapy, alternating it with rest.

He spent Thursday afternoon in prayer in the chapel of his private apartment at the Gemelli hospital and received the Eucharist. He also engaged in several work-related activities.

Pope Leo XIV announced to those gathered for the Sunday Angelus that he would soon undergo surgery to remove a localized nodule in his lung.

By:

The Good Newsroom

| 10/11/2026

Me uno a los obispos, sacerdotes, fieles y a todas las personas de buena voluntad de la Arquidiócesis de Nueva York para rezar por nuestro Santo Padre, el papa León XIV, mientras se prepara para la intervención quirúrgica a la que se someterá a finales de esta semana.

By:

Arzobispo Ronald Hicks

| 10/11/2026

I join with the bishops, priests, faithful, and all people of good will of the Archdiocese of New York in praying for our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, as he prepares for his surgery later this week. 

By:

Archbishop Ronald Hicks

| 10/11/2026