Vatican Announces Pope Francis Suffering from Bilateral Pneumonia

Reuters reports that according to a statement from the Vatican, Pope Francis “remains in good spirits.” However, the pontiff has developed pneumonia affecting both lungs, and his condition remains described as “complex.”

The 88-year-old leader of the Roman Catholic Church has been battling respiratory issues for more than a week. He was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital on Friday.

A follow-up chest CT scan conducted this afternoon revealed bilateral pneumonia necessitating additional drug therapy, according to the Vatican statement. Laboratory tests, a chest X-ray, and his clinical condition continue to present “a complex picture,” but officials reassure that he remains in “good spirits.” The Pope spent his day reading, resting, and praying.

The pontiff has expressed gratitude to well-wishers and asked them to pray for him. Before being hospitalized last week, the Pope had been dealing with bronchitis symptoms for several days and had delegated officials to read prepared speeches at events.

All public events scheduled on the Pope’s calendar for this weekend have been canceled due to his illness. The 2025 Catholic Holy Year runs through next January, but all such gatherings are now postponed until Sunday.

On Monday, a Vatican update revealed that doctors had adjusted the Pope’s drug therapy twice during his hospital stay to combat what was initially thought to be a “polymicrobial infection of the respiratory tract.”

Pope Francis is particularly susceptible to lung infections due to conditions he developed as an adult, including pleurisy and the removal of part of one lung at age 21. Throughout his 12 years leading the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Francis has been hospitalized several times; in March this year, he spent three nights in hospital with bronchitis.

The Vatican described the Pope’s health situation as a “complex clinical case,” highlighting ongoing medical challenges while emphasizing that spiritual well-being is maintained.