The Vatican reported that Pope Francis, the spiritual leader of Catholics and the Head of State of Vatican City, who has been receiving treatment in the hospital for a respiratory tract infection, has developed pneumonia and continues to present a complex clinical picture.

A statement was issued in the evening by the Vatican Press Office regarding the health status of the 88-year-old Pope Francis, who has been hospitalized at Gemelli Hospital in Rome since February 14 due to bronchitis. The statement indicated that according to today’s laboratory tests and chest X-ray results, the Pope’s clinical condition continued to present a complex picture, stating: “Due to a polymicrobial infection developing on a background of bronchiectasis and asthmatic bronchitis, corticosteroid and antibiotic treatment is being administered, further complicating the treatment process. Chest tomography revealed bilateral pneumonia, requiring additional pharmacological treatment. Nonetheless, Pope Francis is in good spirits.” The statement mentioned that the Pope spends his time in prayer and reading some texts, expressing gratitude for the support shown to him.

ALL EVENTS FOR THE WEEKEND CANCELED Meanwhile, the Vatican announced the cancellation of all events scheduled for this weekend for Pope Francis due to the ongoing complex clinical situation. Pope Francis, during two public events on February 9 and 12, revealed having bronchitis and difficulty breathing, requesting his aides to read out speech texts. He underwent two operations at Gemelli Hospital, one in 2021 for colon surgery and another in 2023 due to respiratory difficulties. Since 2013, Pope Francis, the spiritual leader of Catholics, has been admitted to Gemelli Hospital for the first time in 2021 and undergone colon surgery. DISMISSAL OF A BISHOP ACCUSED OF ABUSE WHILE IN A HOSPITAL BED Another Vatican statement announced that Pope Francis dismissed Monsignor Jean-Pierre Blais, who was part of the leadership of the Baie-Comeau Diocese in Quebec, Canada. Italian media reports stated that the 75-year-old Blais was included in the list of abusers within the context of a collective lawsuit against the Archdiocese of Quebec.