Pope, Vatican and Francis

Francis Is in the Hospital. What Happens When a Pope Dies?
Time-honored rituals, drafted and refined over centuries, allow time for mourning and provide order at a dramatic moment of transition.
Who's who at the Vatican? Here's what to know amid Pope Francis health concerns
For more than two weeks, eyes have been on the Vatican, awaiting news about Pope Francis' health. The pope has been at Rome's Gemelli Hospital since Feb. 14, 2025, being treated for double pneumonia and other complications.
Pope Francis remains stable and prognosis reserved, Vatican says
ROME and LONDON -- Pope Francis' condition remained stable on Tuesday, and his prognosis remains reserved, according to the Vatican. The pope had needed medical intervention amid two episodes of "acute respiratory failure" on Monday, Vatican sources told ABC News.
Pope Francis’ Health Worsens After 17 Days In Hospital
Pope Francis has been placed back on mechanical ventilation following medical episodes after 17 days in the hospital. The Vatican announced in
Pope Francis didn't need mechanical ventilation after respiratory crisis, the Vatican says
The 88-year-old pontiff has been hospitalized since Feb. 14 after a bout of bronchitis worsened and turned into a complex pneumonia in both lungs.
Pope Francis suffers another serious health setback
Pope Francis suffered two new acute respiratory crises Monday and was put back on noninvasive mechanical ventilation, in another setback to his battle to fight pneumonia, the Vatican said. Doctors extracted “copious” amounts of mucus from his lungs during two bronchoscopies,
Pope Francis health fears spike as Pontiff's condition 'suddenly worsened'
While Pope Francis, who has been hospitalized in Rome since February 14, is in stable condition the Vatican said that his "prognosis remains reserved" after an isolated bronchospasm on Friday saw the
Pope Francis suffers new health crises, Vatican says
The Vatican said the mucus was the body’s reaction to the original pneumonia infection and not a new infection, given laboratory tests don’t indicate any new bacteria. Francis remained alert, oriented and cooperated with medical personnel.
Pope Francis overcoming health setback in pneumonia battle | Morning in America
Pope Francis was up and receiving therapy on Monday after going off mechanical ventilation and showing no sign of new infection following a respiratory crisis late last week, the Vatican said. Heidi Schlumpf,
Pope Francis' health raises concern as Vatican prepares
The health of Pope Francis is causing increasing concern. Disturbing information is coming from the Vatican about the deteriorating condition of the Holy Father. Is the Vatican preparing for a conclave?
Pope Francis' health deteriorates as Vatican prepares quietly
The health of Pope Francis is causing increasing concern. The Vatican is providing disturbing information about the Holy Father's deteriorating condition. Is the Vatican preparing for a conclave? In recent days,
What Would the Church Say About End-of-Life Decisions for a Pope?
Francis has weighed in publicly before on ethics for end-of-life medical situations, but it is unknown whether he has made ...
Pope Francis' condition improves, but speculation remains. Who could be the next pope?
Concerns over Pope Francis' health have mounted in recent years as have questions about his succession. Here's what we know.
CNN4d
Would Pope Francis resign? Experts say it’s unlikely – but the pontiff often springs surprises
When Benedict XVI became the first pope to resign in 600 years it sent shockwaves through the Catholic Church. Now, after spending two weeks in hospital battling pneumonia, the speculation in the ...
Francis’ Illness Raises a Hard Question: Who Governs if the Pope Can’t?
The Vatican says Pope Francis has continued making decisions and is improving, but his two-week hospital stay poses ...
The Oklahoman on MSN7d
Who will be the next pope? What to know about Pope Francis condition, conclave process
Concerns over Pope Francis' health have mounted in recent years as have questions about his succession. Here's what we know.
CBS News4d
Pope Francis suffers breathing crisis but responds well to mechanical ventilation, Vatican says
Pope Francis experienced a "sudden worsening of the respiratory picture" Friday, the Vatican said, when he had an "isolated crisis of bronchospasm," which is when the muscles that line the airways ...
Mother Jones7d
The Pope Is Critically Ill. Far-Right Catholic Trolls Are Out in Force.
Over the weekend, the Vatican announced serious complications in the recovery of Pope Francis. The 88-year-old pontiff, who has been hospitalized for 10 days, is battling pneumonia and on Sunday ...
Pope Francis shows further slight improvement as he battles pneumonia, the Vatican says
Pope Francis is sitting upright and receiving therapy for double pneumonia while he remains in critical condition.