Pope Francis Shows Improvement as Pneumonia Prognosis Is Upgraded

Doctors report that the 88-year-old pontiff is no longer in imminent danger but will remain hospitalized for further treatment and rehabilitation.

Pope Francis, hospitalized since February 14 with double pneumonia, is now considered stable and out of immediate danger according to the Vatican.
Doctors have lifted the pope's 'guarded' prognosis following a week of steady improvements, though his condition remains complex due to his age and chronic lung disease.
The pope continues to receive treatment and rehabilitation, including the use of supplemental oxygen during the day and a ventilation mask at night, and will stay in the hospital for several more days.
Despite his health challenges, Francis has stayed engaged with church matters, participating remotely in a weeklong Vatican spiritual retreat and sending messages to those affected by global events.
The extended hospitalization, the longest of his papacy, has raised questions about his future leadership, though Vatican officials emphasize his resilience and ongoing recovery.