Pope Francis suffered ‘two episodes of acute respiratory insufficiency’ on 3 March but remained alert, the Vatican said, giving cause for concern after two days in which his condition was described as ‘stable’.
The episodes of respiratory distress were ‘caused by significant accumulation of endobronchial mucus and subsequent bronchospasm,’ the Vatican said in its evening medical bulletin on 3 March.
A ‘respiratory insufficiency’ occurs when the lungs are unable to effectively take in sufficient oxygen or expel enough carbon dioxide to meet the body’s needs.
Pope Francis underwent two bronchoscopies on 3 March, the Vatican said, with doctors working to remove excessive mucus or other fluids from the airways during the procedures.
‘The Holy Father remained alert, oriented and cooperative at all times,’ the bulletin said.
It added that the Pope resumed receiving non-invasive mechanical ventilation—a treatment that delivers air with added oxygen through a tightly fitted face mask using positive pressure to assist breathing. The Pope had previously ceased the need for mechanical ventilation and was receiving only high-flow oxygen therapy on 2 March, the Vatican had said.
The Pope’s doctors maintained that his prognosis ‘remains guarded’.
Previously, on 28 February, the Pope had what his doctors described as an ‘an isolated crisis of bronchospasm’, which caused him to vomit and to inhale some of it, leading to concern that he could contract another infection. Signs of an infection could include a fever and an elevated white blood cell count, but a Vatican source said on 3 March that blood tests continued to show no sign of another developing infection.
I feel in my heart the ‘blessing’ that is hidden within frailty, because it is precisely in these moments that we learn even more to trust in the Lord.
The respiratory crises suffered on 3 March were instead provoked by his already existing infection, the source said.
The previous day, on Sunday 2 March, Pope Francis sent written thanks for people’s prayers, but he did not go to his hospital window as some people had hoped.
Young people and members of the House of Mary, both groups associated with the Pontifical Academy of the Immaculate Conception, led the recitation of the Angelus prayer on 2 March around a statue of St John Paul II below the Pope’s hospital window.
A couple dozen other people and many photographers and TV correspondents joined them.
The Vatican Press Office released a message from Pope Francis with a brief reflection on the day’s gospel reading, but also with a reflection on being hospitalised since 14 February with breathing difficulty and a diagnosis of double pneumonia.
In his message, the Pope thanked his doctors and all the medical professionals assisting him.
But he also told people, ‘I feel in my heart the “blessing” that is hidden within frailty, because it is precisely in these moments that we learn even more to trust in the Lord; at the same time, I thank God for giving me the opportunity to share in body and spirit the condition of so many sick and suffering people.’
I feel all your affection and closeness and, at this particular time, I feel as if I am ‘carried’ and supported by all God’s people.
Pope Francis expressed his gratitude ‘for the prayers, which rise up to the Lord from the hearts of so many faithful from many parts of the world: I feel all your affection and closeness and, at this particular time, I feel as if I am “carried” and supported by all God’s people.’
The Pope assured people he was praying for them, too, and said, “I pray above all for peace. From here, war appears even more absurd. Let us pray for tormented Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, Myanmar, Sudan and Kivu’ in eastern Congo.
Giuseppe Perazzo was one of the first to arrive outside the Gemelli Hospital for the midday prayer. At the time, hospital security staff were re-arranging the flowers, votive candles and cards people have been leaving for the Pope at the foot of the statue.
Perazzo held a big sign encouraging Pope Francis to listen to and obey his doctors.
‘He’s not just the Pope,’ Perazzo said. ‘He is also a man like us. He is one of us, so when he is released, I will feel better, too.’
A couple from India working in Rome, who identified themselves only as Alice and Tommy, said, ‘Today we have the day off, so we came to pray for the Pope. He is a great person.’
Despite Pope Francis’ hospitalisation, the Vatican continues to operate. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State, and Archbishop Paul R Gallagher, the Vatican foreign minister, met at the Vatican with Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda and discussed prospects for peace in Ukraine.
Cardinal Robert F Prevost, Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, was scheduled to lead the nightly recitation of the rosary for the Pope on 3 March.
Banner image: A woman and a young girl pray at the base of a statue of St John Paul II outside Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on 2 March 2025. Pope Francis is receiving treatment there for double pneumonia. (Photo: CNS/Lola Gomez.)
