Pope Francis is showing improvement, the Vatican said, as the pontiff began his eighth day in hospital. Francis was admitted after struggling with breathing and is being treated for pneumonia.
Pope Francis is showing signs of improvement, remains alert, and has been doing some work, the Vatican said, as the 88-year-old pontiff marked his eighth day in the hospital battling pneumonia. He is being treated at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital after experiencing breathing difficulties for several days.
In a brief update, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said the pope had slept well overnight and was able to eat breakfast. A Vatican official, speaking on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to discuss the pope’s condition, added that Francis was breathing on his own without the assistance of any machines. The pope has also been able to move around his hospital room, take phone calls, and continue working on paperwork.
News of Francis’ improvement was met with relief from many Catholics visiting Rome. “When we heard the news, we were very happy that his health was improving,” said Salerina, a tourist from London. “But, you know, I feel ashamed because one of our purposes when we come here is to see the pope, and then we hear how, you know, he's good, but I feel sorry for him. But at the same time, I'm happy that he's improving.”
Others emphasized the importance of prayer over speculation about the pope’s future. “I think it is a time for all Catholics to pray for the pope,” said Father Giumarc, a priest from Brazil. “He’s 88, there is the frailty of age, but we must pray for him and the good of the Church. Speculation at this time is not good.”
Despite his recovery, questions about Francis’ long-term health remain. On February 20, a retired Catholic cardinal suggested that his fragile condition could prompt him to resign, following the precedent set by his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI. However, Francis has repeatedly dismissed this possibility, calling it only a “distant hypothesis” as recently as 2024. Church law also stipulates that any papal resignation must be “freely and properly manifested,” meaning a pope’s decision to step down cannot be influenced by external pressure.
Known for maintaining a demanding schedule, sometimes holding dozens of meetings a day, Vatican officials anticipate that his latest health crisis may lead him to slow down his pace.
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Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for April 19th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
he Trump administration has replaced the Covid.gov website, once a central hub for COVID-19 resources, with a new platform focusing on the lab leak theory regarding the virus's origins.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Friday his plan to reclassify approximately 50,000 federal workers under a new category, "Schedule Policy/Career," which would make it easier to fire civil servants who do not align with his administration's policy agenda.
The U.S. Supreme Court issued an order early Saturday blocking the deportation of alleged Venezuelan gang members from Texas under the Alien Enemies Act, a wartime law from 1798.
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Mount Etna, one of the world's most active volcanoes, erupted once more early on Saturday, with ash and lava spewing from the southeastern crater. The eruption, which began late Friday night, continued through midday, local sources reported.
At least 17 people were killed when suspected cattle herders launched attacks on communities in central Nigeria's Benue State on Thursday, police confirmed. The assault is part of a worrying resurgence in violent clashes between farmers and herders, which have long plagued the region.
The Russian ruble has emerged as the top-performing currency globally in 2025, registering an impressive 38% appreciation against the US dollar since the beginning of the year, according to a report by Bloomberg.
A small plane crashed near Kopake, New York, on April 13, killing at 6 people. The Mitsubishi MU-2B aircraft, carrying six people, went down under unclear circumstances. This marks the second aviation accident in New York in a week, raising safety concerns.
Several regions in Ukraine faced heightened alert on Palm Sunday, as reports of explosions and missile threats drew public attention and official responses.
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Severe rainfall on April 17 led to flooding and landslides in the Piedmont region, prompting a large-scale emergency response from over 400 firefighters.
Jordan's King Abdullah II and Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi held a phone conversation on Saturday to discuss ongoing efforts to end the Israeli war on Gaza, which has been ongoing since October 7, 2023.
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Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al-Said of Oman is scheduled to visit Moscow on Monday, just days after the commencement of a new round of U.S.-Iran nuclear talks mediated by Muscat.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance met with senior Vatican officials on Saturday for talks that the Vatican described as "cordial," following ongoing criticisms of the Trump administration’s policies, particularly regarding immigration.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Friday his plan to reclassify approximately 50,000 federal workers under a new category, "Schedule Policy/Career," which would make it easier to fire civil servants who do not align with his administration's policy agenda.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Friday his plan to reclassify approximately 50,000 federal workers under a new category, "Schedule Policy/Career," which would make it easier to fire civil servants who do not align with his administration's policy agenda.
The U.S. Supreme Court issued an order early Saturday blocking the deportation of alleged Venezuelan gang members from Texas under the Alien Enemies Act, a wartime law from 1798.
Despite U.S. President Donald Trump’s reluctance to support military action, Israel has not ruled out launching a limited strike on Iran's nuclear facilities in the coming months, according to Israeli and other sources familiar with the matter.
Mount Etna, one of the world's most active volcanoes, erupted once more early on Saturday, with ash and lava spewing from the southeastern crater. The eruption, which began late Friday night, continued through midday, local sources reported.
At least 17 people were killed when suspected cattle herders launched attacks on communities in central Nigeria's Benue State on Thursday, police confirmed. The assault is part of a worrying resurgence in violent clashes between farmers and herders, which have long plagued the region.
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