Pope Francis

Pope Expresses Gratitude in First Public Appearance Since February 14

Pope Francis greeted and thanked the faithful from a balcony of Rome's Gemelli hospital Sunday, the first time the 88-year-old has been seen in public since his admission on February 14. "Thank you, everyone," a weak-sounding Francis said into a microphone as he sat in a wheelchair, waving gently to hundreds of people gathered below ...

Rediscovering Jean Ducruet: The Man Who Preserved Saint Joseph University

The chaplaincy of Saint Joseph University (USJ) had the inspired idea this year to honor Father Jean Ducruet (1922–2010), rector of USJ from 1975 to 1995, by dedicating its 8th Jesuit Week (March 10–14) to him. This tribute coincided with the 150th anniversary of the university’s founding in 1875. To rediscover Father Jean Ducruet, one need ...

Pope Seen Praying from Hospital Chapel in photo Released by Vatican

The Vatican on Sunday released the first photograph of Pope Francis since the 88-year-old pontiff was admitted more than a month ago to hospital for pneumonia in both lungs. The photo shows the pope, bare-headed, seated in a wheelchair and wearing a white robe and purple shawl, in front of a simple altar with a crucifix on the wall. Taken from ...

Pope Francis Prays for Peace, Highlighting Lebanon Amid Health Struggles

In a message of gratitude to the faithful broadcast on Sunday from the hospital in Rome, where he has been receiving treatment for double pneumonia for over a month, Pope Francis expressed his thanks for the prayers and support he has received. "I am facing a trial and join many brothers and sisters who, like me, are sick and fragile at this ...

Pope Francis Marks One Month in Hospital, With Football Stars Sending Messages of Support

Pope Francis marked a month in hospital Friday, with football players sending him messages of support for his recovery from pneumonia, including the captain of his favorite team, San Lorenzo. Francis, 88, has been in Rome's Gemelli hospital since February 14 and has suffered a series of breathing crises, with doctors initially warning his life ...

Pope out of Danger, Talk Turns to Return Home

Pope Francis was reported to be in good spirits Tuesday after the Vatican declared he was out of danger and could even be discharged in the near future after almost one month in hospital with pneumonia. The 88-year-old head of the Catholic Church has been in Rome's Gemelli hospital since February 14 with pneumonia in both lungs and has suffered ...

Ailing Pope Thanks Doctors as Condition Improves

Pope Francis, who the Vatican said is responding well to treatment for pneumonia, thanked his doctors and healthcare workers on Sunday as he missed delivering a fourth straight Angelus prayer in person. The 88-year-old, in Rome's Gemelli hospital since February 14, issued a written Angelus in which he thanked those who volunteer to help others in ...

Ailing Pope Showing ‘Good Response to Treatment’: Vatican

Pope Francis, in hospital with pneumonia, is responding well to treatment, the Vatican said on Saturday, adding that the 88-year-old's condition had seen "a gradual, slight improvement". The Argentine pontiff has been in Rome's Gemelli hospital since February 14, and has suffered several respiratory crises since his admission, but for several ...

Vatican: Pope Francis Resting After 'Peaceful Night'

Pope Francis was "resting" Thursday after spending a "peaceful night", as he nears three weeks in hospital with pneumonia, the Vatican said. The 88-year-old had used an oxygen mask overnight for a third time, the Holy See said. The pontiff was hospitalized on February 14 at Rome's Gemelli hospital with breathing ...

Ailing Pope 'Rested Well' but Misses Start of Lent

Pope Francis's condition was stable on Wednesday as he neared three weeks in hospital battling pneumonia, a Vatican source said, with celebrations for the Lent religious season starting without him. The 88-year-old head of the Catholic Church has suffered a worrying series of respiratory attacks since his admission to the Gemelli in Rome on ...

Pope Suffers Two New Episodes of 'Acute Respiratory Failure'

Pope Francis suffered two new breathing attacks on Monday, requiring two separate bronchoscopies, the Vatican said, as the 88-year-old pontiff struggles to recover from pneumonia. "Today, the Holy Father experienced two episodes of acute respiratory failure, caused by a significant accumulation of endobronchial mucus and consequent ...