Tuesday Update: Pope Francis’ medical condition stable, no new medical crises
Vatican News 3/04/2025 2:00 p.m.
The Holy See Press Office issued the following medical update on Pope Francis Tuesday evening. The Pope is receiving care at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital:
The clinical condition of the Holy Father today has remained stable.
He has not experienced episodes of respiratory failure or bronchospasm.
He has remained without a fever, always alert, cooperative with therapies, and oriented.
This morning he transitioned to high-flow oxygen therapy and underwent respiratory physiotherapy.
As scheduled, tonight he will resume non-invasive mechanical ventilation until tomorrow morning.
The prognosis remains guarded.
During the day he alternated between spending time in prayer and at rest, and this morning he received the Eucharist.
Pope Francis slept well throughout the night after suffering two respiratory insufficiencies on Monday, according to the Holy See Press Office.
By Vatican News 3/4/2025 8:45 a.m.
“The Pope slept through the night and now continues to rest,” said the Holy See Press Office on Tuesday morning.
The Press Office has reported that the Pope is continuing his respiratory therapy and physiotherapy, and has resumed high-flow ventilation (i.e., not mechanical ventilation), using a nasal cannula for oxygen.
Tuesday morning was devoted to rest and prayer. In the context of a complex condition, the situation currently appears stable. As has been noted, the Pope is being cared for by health care professionals of the Governorate of Vatican City State and a group of doctors of the Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital.
The Pope has been receiving treatment for bilateral pneumonia at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital since February 14.
On Monday evening, the Press Office said Pope Francis had suffered “two episodes of acute respiratory insufficiency, caused by a significant accumulation of endobronchial mucus and consequent bronchospasm.”
Both times, bronchoscopies were performed to remove the mucus buildup that caused the episodes.
“[On Monday] afternoon, non-invasive mechanical ventilation was resumed. The Holy Father remained alert, oriented and cooperative at all times,” noted the Holy See Press Office.
The Pope’s blood tests showed that he does not have an elevated white blood cell count, suggesting he has no new respiratory infection.
His clinical condition remains complex, and further respiratory crises remain possible.
The Pope’s doctors said his prognosis remains “guarded.”
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