Pope Francis remains in a critical condition as he battles double pneumonia but has shown a slight improvement in his health, the Vatican reported on March 25. According to a statement, the 88-year-old pontiff, who has been hospitalized at Rome's Gemelli Hospital since February 14, is resting well despite the serious nature of his illness. The Holy See mentioned that “the pope rested well all night” and emphasized that while his condition remains critical, he appears to be in slightly better health with some laboratory tests reflecting improvement.

Pope Francis continues to receive supplemental oxygen but with a reduced flow. The medical team has assured that the mild kidney insufficiency first reported does not currently raise alarms. The Vatican describes the pope's pneumonia as complex, stemming from multiple microorganisms.

Since his hospital admission, Francis has frequently contacted communities he oversees, including making calls to a parish in Gaza City, aligning with his pastoral responsibilities even from a hospital bed. His work ethic has drawn mixed expressions of concern and admiration regarding his decision to continue his duties despite ongoing health challenges.

Despite his vulnerability due to previous health challenges, including pleurisy and losing part of a lung, the pope's resilience has been highlighted. His lengthy hospitalization is a period of anxiety for the Catholic community, as seen with thousands gathering in St. Peter's Square for vigils and prayers. Global leaders and faithful from around the world have expressed hopes for his recovery while the Vatican intends to release further medical updates later in the day.

As the community and the church pray for his wellbeing, Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga made it clear: “It’s not yet time for him to go to heaven,” illustrating the sentiments held by many regarding the pontiff’s health.

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