Pope Francis was admitted to a hospital in Rome, Italy, in February 2025 to treat an illness, raising concerns worldwide about his health. On March 23, he made a brief public appearance for the first time in over five weeks. Given the pope’s history of health challenges, his supporters are eager for an update on his condition.
The recent hospitalization isn’t the first time Pope Francis has been admitted to the hospital. As many may recall, the Argentine pontiff has faced multiple health issues throughout his life, including lung-related setbacks.
Below, Hollywood Life has compiled all the information we know so far about Pope Francis’ health, his 2025 hospitalization, and discharge.
How Old Is Pope Francis?
As of March 2025, Pope Francis is 88 years old, having been born on December 17, 1936.
Why Was Pope Francis Hospitalized?
Pope Francis was admitted to a hospital in Rome after battling bronchitis for several weeks. The Vatican released a statement, per CNN, confirming the news. It read, “This morning, at the end of the audiences, Pope Francis will be admitted to the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic for some necessary diagnostic tests and to continue in a hospital setting treatment for bronchitis that is still ongoing.”
Hours before he was brought to the hospital, Francis still held audiences at the Vatican. His recent ailment has caused concern among supporters and those in the Vatican.
On February 17, 2025, the Vatican provided an update on Pope Francis’ health, revealing that he is battling a polymicrobial infection of the respiratory tract. As a result, he needed to remain in the hospital for an “appropriate” amount of time. The pope’s treatment plan will include a change in drug therapy. To aid his recovery, the Vatican also mentioned that he had a quiet weekend, with medical staff prescribing absolute rest.
The next day, The Guardian reported that the pope had double pneumonia after further tests were conducted in the hospital. According to the outlet, Francis underwent a chest X-ray, which showed “the onset of bilateral pneumonia that required further pharmacological therapy.” According to WedMD, bilateral (double) pneumonia affects both lungs in an individual. The illness can inflame and/or scar a person’s lungs.
On February 23, 2025, the Vatican confirmed that blood tests revealed kidney failure in Francis.
On March 4, 2025, according to CNN, the Vatican stated that the pope is in stable condition after receiving oxygen due to two episodes of respiratory failure. However, while he was reported as stable, his condition remains “complex.”
How Is Pope Francis Doing Now?
On March 23, Pope Francis was discharged from the hospital shortly after waving to a crowd from his window at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital. He appeared on the balcony in a wheelchair, which he has used for several years.
After his discharge, the pope could be seen waving from the back seat of a car as a convoy left the hospital. On his way back to the Vatican, he made a stop in the center of Rome to pray at the Papal Basilica before continuing to the Vatican. He is expected to return home to Casa Santa Marta in Vatican City.
The Vatican released a message prepared by the Pontiff, in which he said, “In this long period of hospitalization, I have had the opportunity to experience the patience of the Lord, which I also see reflected in the tireless care of doctors and healthcare workers, as well as in the devotion and hopes of the families of the sick.” He also addressed global conflicts, welcoming a peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and expressing sadness over “the resumption of heavy Israeli bombing on the Gaza Strip, with so many dead and wounded.”
According to the head of his medical team, Francis will need an additional two months of rest once he returns to the Vatican. His doctors also mentioned that it will take “a lot of time” for his body to fully heal.
Pope Francis’ Health History
Pope Francis became pope on March 13, 2013, and it was around that time that it was revealed he had battled a severe respiratory infection in his early 20s, which led doctors to remove part of one of his lungs.
Since 2021, Francis’ health setbacks have fueled rumors that he would resign, which the pope denied. At the time, he underwent intestinal surgery to remove part of his colon while managing diverticulitis, a condition that causes inflammation in the colon. According to Reuters, Francis shut down the resignation rumors while speaking to the Spanish radio network COPE, noting that it “didn’t even cross [his] mind” to step down from the papacy.
By 2022, however, the rumors resurfaced once Francis had a knee condition that prevented him from carrying out some of his duties. As a result, he has been using a wheelchair and a cane ever since.
The following year, Francis was admitted to a hospital for bronchitis. He returned to celebrate the Easter Vigil Mass about a week later. Francis’ 2025 hospitalization was the second known time he needed medical attention to combat bronchitis.
According to CNN, the Argentinian leader has suffered from lung issues throughout his life. Francis previously battled a severe bout of pneumonia, the outlet reported.
