Tuesday Update: Pope Francis shows slight improvements in overall complex medical picture
Vatican News 3/11/2025 3:00 p.m.
Pope Francis’ clinical situation remains stable with doctors confirming slight improvements within a context that nevertheless remains complex. The Holy See Press Office gave journalists this brief update on the Pope’s health condition on Tuesday evening. He has been hospitalized at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital since 14 February. A detailed medical bulletin was not issued this evening, as in previous days, in view of the stable health situation.
Today marks the 67th anniversary of the Pope’s entry into the Society of Jesus. This afternoon, as he did earlier in the morning, the Pope followed remotely the spiritual exercises in the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican where members of the Roman Curia gathered. This evening they prayed the Rosary for the Pope’s healing.
In the private chapel of his apartment at the hospital, Pope Francis spent time in prayer. He did not receive visitors, but dedicating time to prayer and meditation as part of the spiritual exercises. He also received the Eucharist in the morning. He continued his prescribed therapies and, during the day, maintained use of high-flow oxygenation via nasal cannulas.
On 12 March more information will be provided by the doctors, who yesterday lifted their guarded prognosis, while still noting the complex clinical condition. Also tomorrow, there will not be a distribution of the General Audience catechesis given that this week the spiritual excercises are taking place.
Pope Francis had a restful night and is continuing his treatment and physical therapy, the Holy See Press Office said on Tuesday, the day after the Pope’s doctors said his prognosis was no longer guarded even if he requires more time in the hospital.
By Vatican News 3/11/2025 8:30 a.m.
Pope Francis had a restful night and woke up about 8 a.m. this morning, according to a statement published on Tuesday morning by the Holy See Press Office. This morning, the Holy Father is continuing his treatment and his physical therapy for respiration and mobility, and followed, via video link, the Roman Curia’s Spiritual Exercises.
The Press Office also stated that the Pope spent time in prayer, and went to the chapel to pray.
On Monday evening, the Holy See Press Office provided an update on Pope Francis’ health, noting that given his ongoing improvements, the Pope’s prognosis is no longer “guarded.”
In the statement, it explained the Holy Father’s clinical condition remains stable.
Improvements recorded in previous days were further consolidated, as confirmed by both blood tests and clinical findings, as well as by the Pope’s good response to pharmacological therapy.
For these reasons, the statement acknowledged, the doctors had decided today to lift their guarded prognosis.
“However, given the complexity of the Pope’s clinical picture and the severe infection present at the time of hospitalization,” it explained, “it will still be necessary to continue pharmacological treatment in a hospital setting for a period of time.”
On Monday morning, the Holy Father had been able to follow the Spiritual Exercises of the Roman Curia via a video link with the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall, and subsequently received the Eucharist and went to the chapel of his private apartment for a moment of prayer. The Roman Curia’s Spiritual Exercises, which are held every year, began on Sunday afternoon in the Paul VI Hall and are being led by the Preacher of the Papal Household, Fr. Roberto Pasolini, OFM Cap.
In the afternoon, the Holy Father had again joined the Curia’s Spiritual Exercises, and throughout the day, had alternated between prayer and rest.
On Monday, the Pope sent a telegram of prayers and closeness to those who have experienced deadly flooding in the Argentinian port city of Bahía Blanca as well as the nearby city of Cerri.
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