Letter #25, 2025, Thursday, March 6: Francis

Pope Francis continues to undergo treatment for pneumonia at Gemelli Hospital in Rome (the photo above is outside of the hospital; the Pope’s room is on the 10th floor). Francis is in “stable” condition after three weeks in the hospital, the Vatican said. Today Francis issued a recorded message of thanks to all who have been praying for him | Vatican Media

    Letter #25, 2025, Thursday, March 6: Francis        

    Dear Friends,

    Today, Pope Francis, 88, issued a brief message of thanks from his hospital bed in the Gemelli Hospital in Rome for all who have prayed for his recovery of health. The message followed a public rosary yesterday in St. Peter’s Square.

    “I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your prayers for my health from the Square,” Pope Francis said. “I accompany you from here. May God bless you and the Virgin protect you. Thank you.”

    This evening, the Vatican Press Office released a new medical bulletin regarding the health of the Pope, who remains at the hospital following his severe bout with double pneumonia, which at times left him with grave difficulty in his breathing and required the use of an oxygen machine.

    “No Fever”

    The statement, shared with the Vatican Press Corps, including Inside the Vatican, reports that the Holy Father’s clinical condition remains stable, with no episodes of respiratory insufficiency.

    His “hemodynamic parameters” and blood test results are steady, and he does not now have a fever, the statement said.

    The Pope continues his “respiratory and motor physiotherapy with beneficial effects,” it added.

    Despite this encouraging news, doctors have not yet lifted the “reserved” (guarded) prognosis, underscoring the “complexity” of the Holy Father’s condition.

    However, given the present “stability” of the Pope’s condition, the Vatican announced that there will not be any medical update tomorrow (Friday). Rather, the next medical update is scheduled for Saturday, the Vatican said.

    A Pope Who Shepherds, Even from a Hospital Room

    Even in his illness, Pope Francis has carried out some of his pastoral duties.

    On Ash Wednesday, unable to lead the liturgy as is customary, he nonetheless participated in his hospital room in the blessing of the Sacred Ashes and received the Eucharist in his hospital room.

    And, as reported by Vatican News, last night he made a phone call to Catholics in war-torn Gaza, checking in on Father Gabriel Romanelli, the parish priest of Holy Family Catholic Church — the only Catholic parish in Gaza.

    In fact, Francis has made a call to Fr. Romanelli each night since he entered the hospital three weeks ago, on February 14.

    These quiet details—his continued dedication to work, his reception of the Eucharist, his nightly calls to a war-torn region—offer us an insight into the mind of this pontiff, even as the possibility of death looms over him.

    Let us continue to pray for Pope Francis, for his recovery, and for the wisdom to carry on the mission entrusted to him.

    —Robert

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