Thursday Update: Pope celebrates 12th anniversary with healthcare staff at Gemelli hospital
The Holy See Press Office updated reporters on the Pope’s condition on Thursday evening, as he marked the 12th anniversary of his election to the papacy.
In the afternoon, the medical staff brought a cake with candles to the Pope’s room.
The Pope also followed the Spiritual Exercises for the Roman Curia via video link with the Paul VI Hall, and resumed respiratory therapy.
He continues to alternate between non-invasive mechanical ventilation at night and high-flow oxygenation with nasal cannulas during the day.
His clinical situation remains stable within a complex condition. A new medical bulletin is expected on Friday evening.
Pope Francis was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on February 14 to receive treatment for bilateral pneumonia.
Pope Francis had a restful night at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, continues treatment, and receives hundreds of letters for the 12-year anniversary of his election as Pope and for his recovery, the Holy See Press Office said on Thursday. The Pope’s doctors have said his prognosis is no longer guarded and that a chest x-ray showed improvement, but maintain that his situation remains complex.
By Vatican News 3/13/2025 8:30 a.m.
Pope Francis had a restful night, according to a statement published on Thursday morning by the Holy See Press Office. This morning, Pope Francis continued following the spiritual exercises of the Roman Curia as he has been doing, via video link, throughout the week, and is continuing his treatment and mobility-related physical therapy. He also went to the chapel to pray.
Today, 13 March 2025, marks the 12-year anniversary of Pope Francis’ election as Pope on 13 March 2013. In this regard, the Press Office said the Holy Father received hundreds of letters from schools, associations, religious institutes, young people and children. The letters for his anniversary and for his recovery had arrived in the Vatican and were brought to Pope Francis in the hospital.
On Wednesday night, the Press Office provided a medical update on the Holy Father reiterating that Pope Francis’ clinical situation remains stable, and with slight improvements, but within a context that nevertheless remains complex.
In the statement, it noted a chest X-ray performed Tuesday radiologically confirmed improvements observed in the previous days.
It noted that the Pope continues to undergo high-flow oxygen therapy during the day and non-invasive mechanical ventilation overnight.
On Wednesday morning, after following the Spiritual Exercises in a link-up with the Paul VI Hall in the Vatican, he received the Eucharist, spent time praying, and then continued with physical therapy.
In the afternoon, after continuing to follow the Spiritual Exercises, he continued praying, resting and performing more physical therapy.
The Holy Father has been hospitalized at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital since 14 February when he was admitted for a bout of bronchitis.
His prognosis is no longer guarded, but his doctors say he requires more time in the hospital.
Friday morning at 10:30 a.m., the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, will preside over a Mass in the Pauline Chapel within the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace with Ambassadors to the Holy See.
Friday evening, the praying of the rosary for Pope Francis will return to St. Peter’s Square at 7:30 p.m.
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