VATICAN CITY, 7 March 2025 (BSS/AFP) – Pope Francis spent a “calm night” as he marked three weeks in hospital due to pneumonia, the Vatican announced on Friday, a day after the 88-year-old pontiff released his first audio message since his admission.
On Thursday evening, the Holy See confirmed that the Pope’s condition remained “stable” for the third consecutive day, with no recurrence of the respiratory complications that have troubled him during his stay at Rome’s Gemelli hospital.
Later, an audio recording, made earlier that day, was released in which Pope Francis, audibly breathless, expressed gratitude to those who have been praying for his recovery.
“I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your prayers for my health. From the Square, I accompany you from here,” he said in the message broadcast to St Peter’s Square.
“May God bless you and the Virgin protect you. Thank you,” he added, speaking in his native Spanish, pausing between sentences to catch his breath.
It was the first time the public had heard Francis’s voice since his hospitalisation on 14 February. He remains under observation in a special suite designated for popes on the hospital’s tenth floor.
A Sign of Hope
Every evening, pilgrims have been gathering in St Peter’s Square at the Vatican to pray for the Pope’s recovery. On Thursday, upon hearing his voice, the gathered crowd broke into applause.
“We were very happy that he could speak,” said John Maloney, a 76-year-old pilgrim from England. “It’s a good sign that he is able to communicate, though he still has a long way to go. He is in the hands of God.”
For Claudia Bianchi, a 50-year-old resident of Rome, hearing the Pope’s exhausted voice was moving. “It was striking to hear him so tired,” she said.
Another local, Alessandra Dalboni, 53, found reassurance in the Pope’s resilience. “It was a positive sign. It gives us hope that he still has the strength to speak. He always seems to want to be with us.”
Ongoing Treatment and Recovery
Earlier on Thursday, the Vatican reiterated that Pope Francis, who has led the global Catholic Church since 2013, remained in a “stable” condition with no recurrence of the respiratory failure he suffered on Monday.
He has continued his breathing exercises and physiotherapy and has shown no signs of fever. The Vatican reported that he was even able to engage in some light work in both the morning and afternoon.
Until now, the Vatican has been providing two daily updates on the Pope’s condition—one in the morning on how he has spent the night and another medical bulletin in the evening.
However, given the stability of his clinical state, the Holy See announced that the next medical update would be issued on Saturday instead.
Despite this progress, Vatican officials noted that doctors remain cautious. “The prognosis is still reserved,” they stated, meaning they are not yet making predictions about his recovery timeline.
A Challenging Period for Pope Francis
Pope Francis has faced several health challenges in recent years. In 2021, he underwent colon surgery, and in 2023, he was hospitalised for a respiratory infection. His advanced age and previous health issues have heightened concerns among Catholics worldwide.
As the leader of over 1.3 billion Catholics, his health remains a matter of global interest. His ability to continue his pastoral duties, even from the hospital, is a testament to his commitment to his role. However, discussions on potential succession and the future leadership of the Catholic Church have also begun to emerge.
For now, the faithful continue to pray for his recovery, hopeful that the pontiff will regain his strength and return to his duties soon.