On February 14, Pope Francis was hospitalized in Rome’s Agostino Gemelli Hospital for bronchitis, but while hospitalized, he developed multiple infections and pneumonia in both lungs. According to Vatican News, after a few days, he is now in recovery and making slight improvements.

According to Time Magazine, Francis has been struggling with lung issues for several years, with “part of one lung removed after a pulmonary infection as a young man and [as a result] is prone to bouts of bronchitis in winter.”

Bronchitis is the inflammation of the bronchial tubes in the lungs. Although it is common, it can be severe for the elderly. Because of his previous health issues and the infections that developed, he was required to remain hospitalized, according to Time. The bronchitis and infections developed into pneumonia, a lung infection that inserts fluid into the lungs, making breathing difficult.

On February 22, he was in worse condition and needed blood transfusions. The next day, CNN reported that Francis showed signs of mild kidney failure. Though a serious diagnosis, on February 24, the pope showed signs of slight improvement, and since then, has been slowly getting better each day.

Nevertheless, Pope Francis will remain in the hospital, and the Vatican has not yet indicated when he will be released. As Time reported, his doctors say “he is alert, joking, and continuing to work, as well as reading messages from well-wishers around the world.”

Furthermore, the tradition of the pope is to stay in office until the day he dies; however, he does have the option to resign. According to Politico, Pope Benedict XVI resigned in 2013 due to bad health and became the first to resign in 600 years.

Here, at school, some students have expressed their concern for the pope in his time of illness.

“Though I am not super religious, Pope Francis is in my prayers,” Michael Deglomini (’25) said. “His health conditions seem serious but I hope he takes the time he needs to recover and gets better.”

Pope Francis has a long recovery ahead of him, and no comment has been made on whether he will remain in his position or resign from it. However, people worldwide continue to gather and pray for the pope’s quick recovery.