Pope Francis remains hospitalized with a “complex clinical picture” due to a polymicrobial respiratory tract infection, the Vatican confirmed Monday, as concerns mount over the 88-year-old pontiff’s declining health.
Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni stated that recent medical tests indicate the infection, caused by multiple pathogens including viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites, required adjustments to the pope’s treatment.
While no specific timeline for his hospitalization has been provided, Bruni emphasized that the severity of the condition necessitates an “appropriate hospital stay.”
“Pope Francis is in good spirits,” Bruni said, noting that the pontiff had eaten breakfast and read newspapers after a third restful night at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital. The Vatican did not specify whether the infection was viral or bacterial but reiterated that all tests indicate a “complex clinical picture.”
Pope Francis was admitted to the hospital on Friday in “fair condition” after struggling with a persistent bronchitis infection for over a week. Doctors have recommended complete rest, forcing him to cancel Sunday’s weekly prayer in St. Peter’s Square and a special mass for artists marking the Catholic Church’s Jubilee Year.
Over the weekend, the pope expressed gratitude for the support he has received, posting on social media: “Thank you for the affection, prayer, and closeness with which you accompany me in these days.”
Reports indicate that before his hospitalization, Pope Francis was visibly struggling to complete public speeches due to shortness of breath. Despite his worsening condition, he insisted on finishing his scheduled morning audiences before leaving for the hospital.
Despite his illness, Pope Francis has continued making phone calls, including to members of a Catholic parish in Gaza, according to Italian broadcaster Mediaset. Parishioners reported that the pope called both Friday and Saturday, sounding “in good humor” but “a bit tired.”
The pope’s next official engagement is his weekly general audience scheduled for Wednesday, followed by his role in the ordination of deacons on Sunday as part of a Holy Year event. Both remain on the Vatican’s schedule but are increasingly uncertain as his recovery progresses.
