Pope Francis has pneumonia in both lungs as Vatican cancels all public events

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GB News
Eliana Silver

By Eliana Silver


Published: 18/02/2025

- 19:14

Updated: 18/02/2025

- 20:33

The Pontiff had been admitted to hospital after suffering from a respiratory infection for over a week

Pope Francis has been diagnosed with pneumonia in both lungs as his health continues to "present a complex picture", the Vatican confirmed.

It comes as the Pontiff has been suffering from a respiratory infection for over a week.


The 88-year-old was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital on February 14.

The Vatican said all public events have been cancelled following the diagnosis.

Pope Francis

GETTY


A statement reads: "The laboratory tests, chest X-ray, and clinical conditions of the Holy Father continue to present a complex picture.

"(A) chest CAT scan which the Holy Father received this afternoon ... showed the onset of bilaterial pneumonia that requires further pharmacological therapy."

"Nevertheless, Pope Francis remains in good spirits," the statement added.

Bilateral pneumonia is an infection affecting both lungs and can cause breathing difficulties.

The Pope is said to be especially prone to lung infections, because he had part of his lung removed after developing pleurisy as a young adult.

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However, a Vatican official said earlier today that the Pontiff was breathing on his own and did not require a ventilator.

Ahead of the latest announcement, the Vatican said it was cancelling all public events through to Sunday.

The Pope was set to lead several events this weekend for the 2025 Catholic Holy Year, which lasts until next January.

The Vatican is expecting around 32 million tourists to visit Rome during this period of pardon and forgiveness for Catholics.

Woman praying for the pope

The Pope was set to lead several events this weekend for the 2025 Catholic Holy Year, which lasts until next January

REUTERS

On Monday, the Vatican said they had changed the Pope’s drug therapy a second time in order to tackle a “complex clinical situation.”

They described it as a "polymicrobial infection of the respiratory tract".

The infection can occur when two or more micro-organisms are involved and can be caused by viruses, bacteria or fungi.