Vatican City, February 20, 2025 – Pope Francis will not appear in public on Sunday to lead his customary prayer with pilgrims, marking the second consecutive week of absence, the Vatican announced on Saturday.
The decision comes as the pontiff remains hospitalized at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, where he has been receiving treatment for double pneumonia since February 14 after experiencing several days of breathing difficulties.
In a brief statement, the Vatican noted that the pope had “rested well” overnight, though it did not specify whether he had risen or taken breakfast, as had been reported in previous updates. Instead of the usual live recitation of the Sunday Angelus prayer, the Holy See press office said that the text would be published.
Doctors have described the pope’s condition as “complex,” with his double pneumonia caused by two or more micro-organisms—a serious infection that can inflame and scar the lungs, impairing breathing. Speaking to reporters on Friday, Dr. Sergio Alfieri, a senior member of the Gemelli staff, stated, “The pope is not out of danger. The situation could go either way.”
While his medical team has assured that the condition is not currently life-threatening, the pope’s continued absence from public duties underscores the severity of his illness. The Vatican’s latest announcement comes as the papacy navigates the challenges of his ongoing treatment and recovery.
Pope Francis' health was so precarious during his recent 38-day hospital stay that his doctors considered halting treatment at one point, allowing him to pass away peacefully, according to the head of his medical team.
After spending 38 days in hospital battling double pneumonia, Pope Francis made his first public appearance on Sunday since February 14 and returned to the Vatican.
Pope Francis has welcomed the progress in the peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan. He described the steps taken toward peace in the South Caucasus as a "sign of hope" and emphasized that this process could serve as an example for resolving other conflicts.
Pope Francis appeared publicly for the first time in more than five weeks on Sunday, offering a brief wave from a balcony at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital before leaving the facility.
Pope Francis will be discharged from the hospital on Sunday after 38 days of treatment for life-threatening pneumonia. Doctors report steady recovery, though he will require two months of rest and rehabilitation.
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