Pope Francis spent a peaceful second night in the hospital for treatment of bronchitis, a Vatican source said Friday. Doctors reported a “marked improvement” in his condition on Thursday and said he could be discharged as early as Saturday, possibly returning home “in the coming days.” Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals, told the Adnkronos news agency that, based on the information he had, the pope would leave the Gemelli Hospital tomorrow. He expressed hope that Francis would be able to preside over Holy Week and Easter services, which begin with Palm Sunday this weekend. The Vatican did not respond to requests for confirmation.
The pope’s admission, just weeks after he marked ten years as head of the worldwide Catholic Church, sparked widespread concern and speculation about his future. The Argentine pontiff, who had part of a lung removed as a young man, has faced increasing health issues in recent years. This was his second hospital stay since 2021. Although he has said he would consider stepping down if his health failed him—following the example of his predecessor Benedict XVI—he told reporters in February that he currently has no plans to resign.
Medical staff said Francis was suffering from an infectious bronchitis that required antibiotics. The treatment led to a marked improvement, and the pontiff was well enough by Thursday morning to eat, pray and work from his private suite on the tenth floor of the hospital. He had been admitted for pre‑planned tests after complaining of breathing difficulties.
Despite his health challenges, Francis remains active internationally and maintains a busy schedule, though he has relied on a wheelchair and walking stick in the past year because of knee pain. He thanked those sending messages of support, including U.S. President Joe Biden, who tweeted, “Jill and I are keeping Pope Francis in our prayers and send our best wishes for his swift and full recovery. The world needs Pope Francis.”
Francis was previously admitted to the same Rome hospital in July 2021 for a ten‑day stay following a colon operation for diverticulitis, an inflammation of intestinal pockets. He noted in a January interview that the condition had returned. His predecessor Benedict XVI shocked the world in 2013 by resigning—the first papal resignation since the Middle Ages—citing declining physical and mental health. Benedict died on December 31 at age 95. Francis has said he would follow suit if he could no longer fulfill his duties, but he cautioned that papal resignations should not become the norm and reiterated in February that resignation is not “on my agenda.”
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