Pope Francis Marks 12th Anniversary as Pontiff While Recovering in Hospital

The 88-year-old leader of the Catholic Church shows signs of improvement after nearly a month of treatment for double pneumonia.

Pope Francis has spent 28 days hospitalized at Rome's Gemelli Hospital, receiving treatment for double pneumonia following a worsening case of bronchitis.
The Vatican reports that the pope's condition has stabilized, with medical updates showing gradual improvements confirmed by chest X-rays earlier this week.
Doctors have stated that Francis is no longer in imminent danger of death, but his overall health remains complex due to his age and pre-existing conditions, including chronic lung disease.
The pope continues to undergo high-flow oxygen therapy during the day and non-invasive mechanical ventilation at night as part of his recovery process.
Marking 12 years as head of the Catholic Church, Francis is celebrated for his reforms, advocacy for social justice, and efforts to address clerical abuse, though challenges and criticisms persist.