Pope Francis, hospitalized for over a month with pneumonia, is showing gradual improvement and did not require an oxygen mask overnight, the Vatican confirmed Tuesday.
Doctors at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital report that the 88-year-old pontiff remains stable, though his condition is still complex, and no discharge date has been announced. Instead of an oxygen mask, he used a high-flow cannula but may still need the mask at times, the Vatican added.
While in the hospital, Francis has balanced rest, prayer, and occasional work, including writing a letter to Italy’s Corriere della Sera newspaper. In the letter, dated March 14, he called for an end to war and urged the media to “serve the truth.”
“They are never just words: they are facts that build human environments. They can connect or divide, serve the truth or use it,” he wrote, stressing the importance of responsible journalism in times of conflict.
The pope also reflected on human fragility, stating that “war appears even more absurd” in the face of illness. “Peace requires commitment, work, silence, words,” he added, emphasizing the need for diplomacy over destruction.
Despite his health struggles, speculation about Francis stepping down—similar to his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI—persists. However, Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin dismissed such discussions, stating, “No, no, no, absolutely not.”
Catholics continue to gather outside the Gemelli Hospital, leaving flowers, candles, and prayers for the pope’s recovery. Elena Pampaloni, a pilgrim from Tuscany, shared her devotion: “Knowing that he is here at the Gemelli, and in pain, makes me and other pilgrims suffer. I hope he gets better soon.”
The next medical update is expected on Wednesday, as the world watches closely for further developments in the pope’s condition.
