Pope Francis’s Health: A Timeline

FOR a man who carries the weight of over a billion Catholics on his shoulder, Pope Francis has also had to bear the burden of his own fragile health. 

On February 14, 2025, the pontiff was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli University Hospital for a respiratory infection which quickly complicated more to a bilateral pneumonia. Also known as double pneumonia, it is an infection that affects both lungs, causing inflammation and fluid buildup in the air sacs. 

The Vatican also announced on Monday that the Pope is being treated for “polymicrobial infection”, an infection caused by multiple types of microorganisms. 

Although the world still holds hope for Pope Francis, his condition remains complex. His latest hospitalization is a stark reminder of a lifetime marked by health struggles. From losing part of his lung as a teenager to undergoing multiple surgeries in recent years, the Pope’s medical history reveals a pattern of resilience in the face of physical adversity.

As concerns grow over his ability to continue leading the Church, we take a look back at the Pope’s medical history. 

1957: Portion of the lung removed

In 1957, when the Pope was still in his early 20s, he was reported to have suffered from a severe respiratory infection while he was in his native Argentina. This led him to undergo a surgery that required the removal of a portion of his lungs.

Due to this, the Pope has been more susceptible to colds and respiratory illnesses. 

2020: Sciatica Pain

In December 2020, Pope Francis was forced to cancel his appearance for the end-of-the-year celebration due to a ‘painful sciatica’ according to the Vatican News. 

In some reports, he was seen struggling to walk or to get up. 

Sciatica pain refers to pain that radiates along the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back through the hips, buttocks, and down each leg. It is usually caused by compression or irritation of the nerve, often due to a herniated disc, bone spur, or spinal stenosis.

It typically affects only one side of the body and can range from mild to severe pain. 

2021: Continued Sciatica and Narrowing of the Colon

The Pope continued to suffer from painful sciatic until the end of January, and had, once again, needed to cancel a few appearances. 

Meanwhile, during July of this year, he also underwent surgery for diverticular stenosis. Colonic diverticulitis occurs when diverticula— or the small pouches that form in the wall of the colon (large intestine)— become infected and inflamed. This happens due to the pouches being blocked, which leads to the bacterial overgrowth. 

Colonic stenosis, on the other hand, refers to the rare complication of colon diverticulitis or other intestinal conditions where the colon becomes abnormally narrow. 

The surgery required the removal of 13 inches of the Pope’s colon, which rendered him confined for 10 days at the Gemelli University Hospital.

The pontiff recovered from the surgery but his illness returned at the start of 2023. 

2022: Recurring knee pain

In 2022, the Pope endured recurring knee pain. It was during this period where he was seen using a walker and sometimes, even a wheelchair. As per Vatican, some of his appearances were cancelled due to this. 

2023: Bronchitis, abdominal surgery, flu

Pope Francis’ health suffered many blows during this year. 

In Spring, he was admitted once again to the Gemelli University Hospital, following a case of bronchitis. This earned him follow-up tests from the same institution. 

In June, he was back at the hospital for an abdominal surgery— this time for an incisional hernia. This is a type of hernia that occurs at the site of a previous surgical incision. 

Throughout the surgery, the incision was repaired and reinforced with mesh. This earned the Pope nine days in the hospital. 

In November, Pope Francis’s health challenges continued. According to Vatican News, he underwent a CT scan of his lungs after experiencing flu-like symptoms. Fortunately, the results showed no signs of respiratory complications.

2024: Flu-like symptoms, fall

The flu-like symptoms persisted until 2024, when the Vatican announced that the Pope would once again have to undergo diagnostic tests at Gemelli University Hospital. 

In December of the same year, the pontiff had reportedly fallen, hitting his chin on the nightstand. This caused a large hematoma (localized internal bleeding) on the lower right side of his chin. 

2025: The battle today

On Sunday, February 23, 2025, the Vatican informed the public that the Pope’s condition remains critical.  Blood tests showed that he was suffering from an initial, mild kidney failure. But hope still continues as the doctor announced that everything is still under control. 

“The complexity of the clinical picture, and the necessary wait for pharmacological therapies to provide some feedback, require that the prognosis remain reserved,” said the Vatican. 

The Vatican also announced earlier that the pontiff received high-flow oxygen therapy following a respiratory crisis. They said that he spent a peaceful night in the hospital. 

Diagnosed with pneumonia in both lungs, he remains under medical care and, for only the third time in his nearly 12-year papacy, was unable to lead the weekly Angelus prayer.

But the Pope soon recovered, although he remained weak. On April, he was even able to make a brief appearance at St. Peter’s Square to bless the thousands gathered for Easter Sunday. Many was hopeful for the Pope’s continual recovery, and it seems that way for a while.

Yet on April 21, 2025— Easter Monday, at the age of 88 years old, the Pope has passed away, concluding a life devoted to service.