Pope Francis Remains in Critical Condition Following Prolonged ‘Respiratory Crisis,’ Vatican Says

Candles are left at the foot of a marble statue of late Pope John Paul II outside the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic where Pope Francis is being treated for pneumonia, in Rome on Feb. 20, 2025. Domenico Stinellis/AP Photo

Pope Francis remains in critical condition as of Feb. 22, as he continues to battle with a complex respiratory illness.

“The condition of the Holy Father continues to be critical. Therefore, as explained yesterday, the Pope is not out of danger,” the Holy See Press Office said on Saturday.

“This morning, Pope Francis experienced an asthma-like respiratory crisis of prolonged intensity, which required the administration of high-flow oxygen.”

According to the Vatican’s press service, the pope’s latest blood tests also indicated he had low blood platelet levels and required a blood transfusion.

The 88-year-old pontiff has chronic lung disease and has been battling respiratory illness for around two weeks. He was admitted to Policlinico Agostino Gemelli in Rome on Feb. 14 and has been diagnosed with asthmatic bronchitis and the onset of pneumonia in both lungs, according to recent health updates.

Earlier this week, the Vatican reported Pope Francis’s health condition was “improving slightly,” though the latest updates indicate persistent challenges.

“The Holy Father remains alert and spent the day in an armchair, although he is more uncomfortable than yesterday. At the moment, the prognosis remains guarded,” the Vatican’s press service said on Saturday.

Doctors have warned that pneumonia can lead to additional health complications, including sepsis. As of Feb. 21, the pope’s medical team said there was no evidence of any sepsis, and he was responding to the various drugs he was taking.

Pope Francis’s health episode has disrupted his attendance at Vatican events during Holy Year Jubilee celebrations.

Deacons, a ministry in the church that precedes ordination to the priesthood, have gathered at the Vatican this weekend as part of the Jubilee events. The pope was originally slated to lead the diaconal celebrations but will have to miss out amid this health episode.

Archbishop Rino Fisichella, the Holy Year organizer, will lead the diaconal celebrations this weekend in Pope Francis’s place.

The pope will also miss out on leading his traditional Sunday noon blessing for a second weekend in a row.

Feb. 22 also marks the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter in the Catholic faith tradition, marking the first sermon of St. Peter, the first pope. The Feast of the Chair of St. Peter also symbolizes unity and authority within the Catholic tradition.

Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the Archbishop of New York, shared a video message on Saturday, reflecting on the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter and Pope Francis.

“Our prayers are with [Pope Francis] as we monitor very closely his fragile health and as we express our love and our gratitude for him, and commend him to Jesus,” Dolan said.

“I think most of us are praying that he’s healed and can continue on for a while. If not, we just entrust him to the hands of the Lord.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.