Pope Francis hospitalized, undergoing treatment for persistent bronchitis

February 14, 2025 Brooklyn Eagle Staff

Pope Francis greets Bishop Nicholas A. DiMarzio of Brooklyn, N.Y., now emeritus, during a meeting with bishops from the state of New York in the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican Nov. 15, 2019. Photo credit: Catholic News Service

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VATICAN CITY — POPE FRANCIS WAS HOSPITALIZED on Friday, Feb. 14, after a week of suffering from bronchitis and breathing difficulties, the Brooklyn Diocese’s Tablet newspaper and the Associated Press have reported.

The 88-year-old pontiff, who was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, has been susceptible to bouts of bronchitis, colds and other issues after a 1957 surgery, in which part of a lung was removed during a respiratory infection. The Vatican updated the press late Friday evening local time, saying that Pope Francis is in “fair” condition, and is being treated for respiratory tract infection and a mild fever. He has begun drug therapy at Gemelli Hospital.

During a Sunday, Feb. 9, Mass for the Jubilee of the Armed Services, Police and Security Personnel, Pope Francis apologized for having to delegate an aide to read his message, due to his own “difficulty breathing.” Three days later, during his weekly Wednesday general audiences, the pope apologized for not delivering the main talk himself, saying it was “because I still can’t with my bronchitis. I hope next time I can.”

Friday’s hospitalization marks Francis’ fourth since being elected Pope in 2013.

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