Latest news about Pope Francis' health

Pope Francis has faced numerous health challenges in recent years, and yet still has maintained a busy schedule of meetings, Masses, and travel since 2020.

The Latest

Pope Francis greeted pilgrims in St. Peter's Square on Wednesday, June 7, 2023, a few hours before he will be hospitalized for abdominal surgery under general anesthesia.

Pope Francis hospitalized for abdominal surgery

Jun 7, 2023

By Courtney Mares, Hannah Brockhaus

The operation was planned by the pope’s medical team in recent days after it became necessary due to a hernia... Read more

Pope Francis at his Wednesday general audience in St. Peter’s Square on May 31, 2023.

Vatican: Pope Francis has checkup at Rome hospital

Jun 6, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

Media reports said Pope Francis visited a clinic for the elderly connected to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital. Read more

Pope Francis shakes hands with film director Martin Scorsese and his wife Helen Morris. One day after suffering from a fever, Pope Francis resumed his normal activities, including meeting with participants in a conference on “The Global Aesthetics of the Catholic Imagination,” organized by Jesuit magazine “La Civiltà Cattolica” and Georgetown University, in the Apostolic Palace on May 27, 2023.

Pope Francis resumes normal schedule one day after fever

May 27, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

The pope had canceled meetings in the morning May 26 due to a fever. Read more

Pope Francis at the Wednesday general audience in St. Peter's Square on May 24, 2023.

Pope Francis has a fever, Vatican spokesman confirms

May 26, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

The pope’s appointments were canceled Friday because he has a fever. Read more

Pope Francis takes questions from the media aboard the papal flight from Hungary to Rome April 30, 2023.

Pope Francis says he did not lose consciousness before hospitalization in March

Apr 30, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

Asked about his health during the in-flight press conference, the 86-year-old pope said he felt bad on March 29 and... Read more

Pope Francis washes inmates’ feet at Rome’s Regina Coeli Prison on Holy Thursday, March 29, 2018.

Pope Francis to wash juvenile prisoners’ feet this Holy Thursday

Apr 3, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

Less than a week after being released from Gemelli Hospital, Pope Francis will preside over Holy Thursday Mass at Casal... Read more

Pope Francis greeted the crowd gathered outside of the hospital after he was discharged on the morning of April 1, 2023.

Pope Francis returns to the Vatican after 3 days in the hospital

Apr 1, 2023

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis was discharged from the hospital Saturday morning after a three-night stay in Rome’s Gemelli Hospital. Read more

Pope Francis baptizes a baby at Gemelli Hospital in Rome on March 31, 2023.

Pope Francis visits pediatric oncology ward at hospital, baptizes newborn baby

Mar 31, 2023

By Zelda Caldwell, Hannah Brockhaus

While staying at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital where he is undergoing treatment for bronchitis, Pope Francis paid a visit Friday to... Read more

Pope Francis' General Audience in St. Peter's Square on March 29, 2023.

Vatican: Pope Francis had pizza dinner, may leave hospital tomorrow

Mar 31, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

“In the evening Pope Francis had dinner, eating pizza together with those assisting him during his hospital stay,” a Vatican... Read more

Pope Francis speaks at his general audience in St. Peter's Square on March 29, 2023.

UPDATE: Pope Francis has bronchitis but is resting and improving, Vatican says

Mar 30, 2023

By Jonah McKeown

Pope Francis is exhibiting “marked improvement” after being admitted to the hospital Wednesday with difficulty breathing, which was later diagnosed... Read more

Pope Francis' General Audience in St. Peter's Square on March 29, 2023.

U.S. bishops ask for prayer for pope’s quick recovery

Mar 30, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

Following news of Pope Francis’ hospitalization on Wednesday, U.S. bishops asked for prayer for the pontiff’s quick recovery. Read more

Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square on March 8, 2023.

Update: Pope Francis rested well, continuing treatment in hospital, Vatican says

Mar 30, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

“Pope Francis rested well overnight. The clinical picture is progressively improving and he is continuing his planned treatment,” Matteo Bruni... Read more

Pope Francis speaks at his general audience in St. Peter's Square on March 29, 2023.

Pope Francis hospitalized with a respiratory infection, Vatican says

Mar 29, 2023

By Jonah McKeown

Pope Francis will be hospitalized for “some days” after being diagnosed with a respiratory infection, the Vatican said Wednesday. Read more

Pope Francis, seated in a wheelchair, greets a child during the pope's general audience at the Vatican on Jan. 25, 2023.

Vatican: Pope Francis at Rome hospital to undergo checkups

Mar 29, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis has been undergoing some medical checkups at one of Rome’s most prominent hospitals since Wednesday afternoon. Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims before his general audience Feb. 26, 2020.

Vatican: Pope Francis has ‘strong cold’

Feb 23, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

The message said that due to a “strong cold,” the pope did not read his speeches aloud at two morning... Read more

Pope Francis speaks to the media on Feb. 5, 2023, during his return flight to Rome from his visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan.

Pope Francis’ in-flight press conference: God accompanies people with same-sex attraction

Feb 5, 2023

By Courtney Mares

The pope also answered questions about tensions within the Church and spoke about his desire to go to India next... Read more

Pope Francis, seated in a wheelchair, greets a child during the pope's general audience at the Vatican on Jan. 25, 2023.

Pope Francis says intestinal problems have ‘returned’ but insists, ‘I’m in good health’

Jan 25, 2023

By Shannon Mullen

The 86-year-old pontiff discussed his health and possible retirement in a wide-ranging interview with the Associated Press published Jan. 25. Read more

Pope Francis on Nov. 30, 2022, during the weekly general audience at St. Peter's Square in The Vatican.

Pope Francis: Resignation already signed ‘in case of medical impediment’

Dec 17, 2022

By Eduardo Berdejo

In a recent interview, Pope Francis said he has signed his resignation in case his health prevents him from continuing... Read more

Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square, Sept. 28, 2022

Head doctor for Madrid soccer team calls Pope Francis a ‘very stubborn patient’

Nov 23, 2022

By Courtney Mares

The Vatican has recruited the head doctor of a Madrid soccer team among a team of specialists to help treat... Read more

Pope Francis greets the crowd in a wheelchair at his general audience, Aug. 3, 2022.

Pope Francis appoints nurse as his ‘personal health care assistant’

Aug 4, 2022

By Courtney Mares

The Vatican announced Thursday that Pope Francis has appointed a “personal health care assistant.” Read more

Latest news

Pope Francis looks out at the crowd gathered below his hospital window at Rome's Gemelli Hospital on March 23, 2025.

Missionaries of Mercy gather in Rome as Pope Francis praises their ‘ministry of forgiveness’

Speakers present at the briefing presenting the report “Attacks on Christians in Israel and East Jerusalem” by the Rossing Center on March 27, 2025. From left to right: Hana Bendcowsky, director of the Jerusalem Center for Jewish-Christian Relations at the Rossing Center; Bernard Sabella, a retired professor of sociology; Federica Sasso (Rossing Center)), moderator, Hussam Elias, executive director of the project; and Jesuit Father David Neuhaus.

Christian communities in Israel face growing hostility, annual report reveals

Mural of Archbishop Oscar Romero,

Nunciature in El Salvador issues correction for liturgical abuse

Bishop Christian Carlassare (center), President Salva Kiir (left), and Dr. Riek Machar (right).

Bishop calls for peace in South Sudan as country’s first vice president reportedly arrested

Launched in March 2025, St. Claret Maternity Center in the Nyabwina village serves the local region in the Sheema/Mbarara District of Uganda.

Inspired by John Paul II, Catholic maternal health organization celebrates 30 years

St. Paul’s Chaldean Catholic Cathedral in Mosul, Iraq.

Cardinal calls on Iraqi Christians to vote for fellow Christians in upcoming elections

The Kansas Capitol in Topeka.

Leader of ‘black mass’ arrested at Kansas Capitol after punching protester

CNA

New York official blocks Texas order against doctor who mailed abortion pills into state

“People need genuine compassion and choices, not the false choice of pain or poison,” says Jim Towey, founder and president of Aging with Dignity, the organization behind a new watchdog effort to monitor and oppose the expansion of assisted suicide throughout the United States.

Watchdog effort launches to oppose assisted suicide in U.S.

A wildfire blazes next to a stone lantern of family tomb in Andong, South Korea, on March 26, 2025. At least 18 people have been killed in one of South Korea’s worst wildfire outbreaks, with multiple blazes burning and causing “unprecedented damage,” the acting president said.

Pope Francis sends condolences after South Korea wildfires destroy thousands of homes

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