The Pope Throughout His Papacy

(Pope Francis, Age 33)

Pope Francis, the head of all Catholic churches and the Vatican City-State, is in a critical condition, with an unclear outcome and potentially fatal symptoms. He is 88 years old, and according to VaticanNews, is currently being treated for pneumonia and mild renal insufficiency in both kidneys. He was admitted to the Agostino Gemelli Hospital in Rome, Italy, on February 14, 2025, following a case of bronchitis. His status is currently stable, and he appears to be getting better daily. However, despite this, his prognosis remains uncertain. A recent checkup concluded that he is showing minor improvements regarding his condition of pneumonia, however, he is still hospitalized due to his other conditions.

The exact strain of pneumonia that Pope Francis suffers from is called bilateral pneumonia, meaning it has spread to both of his lungs. The Vatican’s spokesperson, Matteo Bruni, has claimed the infection is polymicrobial, meaning it's caused by more than one type of microorganism. Some symptoms that stem from this kind of disease are shortness of breath, painful breathing, and fever. The Pope is currently receiving an ample supply of antibiotics for his condition. However, treating polymicrobial pneumonia is more difficult than regular pneumonia as it requires multiple antibiotics to cover different types of organisms.

During his 12-year-long papacy, Pope Francis has greatly improved various issues within the Church. Some of his achievements include the encyclical Laudato Si’ (“Praise Be to You.”) which addresses the climate crisis and heavily promotes the protection of the environment, his efforts to promote equality within groups of all religions and beliefs, and he supported removing the death penalty. Along with these major changes, he also aided in changing Church governance and finances, significantly helping in both jurisdictions.

Though the Pope has had a fruitful career, the Catholic Church must consider what happens if he passes away. When a pope dies, the Catholic Church goes into a nine-day mourning period known as Novendiale. His body will be blessed, then dressed in traditional papal vestments and shown in St. Peter's Basilica, where hundreds of thousands of people will come to give their respects. After this, the Pope's body will lie in an open coffin, which will be the first time a pope isn't displayed on a raised platform. When his body is lying, many rituals will occur and end with the burial of Pope Francis. Two to three weeks after the funeral, the College of Cardinals will meet in the Sistine Chapel to hold a conclave. Around 120 people will vote, and only two-thirds of the total votes need to be in your favor to win. Some of the top candidates for the papacy include the current Vatican secretary of state, Pietro Parolin, and Matteo Zuppi, who is highly regarded by Pope Francis.

Pope Francis’ current health crisis has drawn concerns from all around the world, as the Catholic church and its followers prepare for the possibility of his death. His impact on the church has been vast, helping them reform and evolve. Whether he makes it through this crisis or the church ends up having to look for a new pope, Pope Francis’s legacy has left a drastic influence on both the church and its followers.