Pope Francis' Decline and Recovery

Scarlett Shin '27

On February 14th, Pope Francis was hospitalized at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital for a severe respiratory infection and bilateral pneumonia. He required mechanical ventilation for multiple days before switching to high-flow oxygen. Thankfully, he has begun to recover, and his condition has improved. 

His health crisis has left questions about who will take over his work during his time recuperating. The Jubilee audience over the weekend of February 15-16th was cancelled as a result. Since then, multiple events on account of the Catholic Church’s Jubilee year have been postponed. 

Currently, he spends his days undergoing treatment, praying, and doing some work. He has received many prayers in his “period of trial.”