On Sunday evening, the Holy See Press Office released an update on Pope Francis’ health:
“Today, too, the Holy Father’s clinical condition has remained stable. The Pope has not required non-invasive mechanical ventilation, but only supplemental high-flow oxygenation. He does not have a fever.
Given the complexity of the clinical picture, the prognosis remains guarded.
This morning, the Holy Father participated in Holy Mass, together with those who have been caring for him during these days of hospitalization. Afterward, he alternated rest with prayer.”
No direct consequences from last Friday’s isolated bronchospasm are evident. However, the risk of a deterioration in the Pope’s condition remains, the update said.
Pope Francis has been hospitalized with breathing difficulties since Feb. 14.
In an Angelus address prepared by Pope Francis while he continued his treatment in hospital and published by the Holy See Press Office, the Pope thanked the faithful for their closeness in his moment of “frailty” and urged them to continue praying for peace in the world, just as they prayed for him.
“From here, war appeared even more absurd,” he said, calling in particular for prayers for “tormented Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, Myanmar, Sudan, and Kivu.”
The Pope also expressed his gratitude to the doctors and healthcare professionals “for the attention with which they are taking care of me” and reflected on the hidden grace within his illness. “It is precisely in these moments that we learn even more to trust in the Lord; at the same time, I thank God for giving me the opportunity to share in body and spirit the condition of so many sick and suffering people,” he said.
Finally, he expressed his deep appreciation for the prayers rising from the hearts of the faithful across the world. “I feel all your affection and closeness, and at this particular time, I feel as if I am ‘carried’ and supported by all God’s people. Thank you all!”
Before turning to his reflection on the day’s Gospel, the Pope assured the faithful of his prayers for them as well. “I prayed for you too. And I prayed above all for peace,” he said.
He then invited them to meditate on that Sunday’s Gospel, which highlighted two of our five senses: sight and taste.
With regard to sight, the Pope explained that Jesus asked us “to train our eyes to observe the world well and to judge our neighbour with charity.” He emphasized that only a gaze of care, rather than condemnation, allowed fraternal correction to be a true virtue. “Because if it is not fraternal, it is not correction!” he added.
Turning then to taste, Pope Francis recalled Jesus’ teaching that every tree is known by its fruit. “The fruits that come from man,” the Pope explained, “are, for example, his words, which ripen on his lips.” He went on to contrast “rotten fruits”—violent, false, and vulgar words—with “good fruits”—just and honest words that give flavour to our dialogues.
Finally, reflecting on these two aspects, the Pope invited the faithful to examine their own lives: “How do I look at other people, who are my brothers and sisters? And how do I feel looked at by others? Do my words have a good flavour, or are they imbued with bitterness and vanity?”
Vatican News
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Posted on March 2, 2025