Pope Francis is in the fifth week of his recovery from double pneumonia in Rome’s Gemelli hospital, but even as he persists in his recuperation, he is fully involved in one of the signature projects of his papacy — a long-term reform to make the Catholic Church more responsive and inclusive.
The Vatican assured on Saturday that the 88-year-old pope is not only focused on improving but is also continuing to guide his signature projects from his hospital bed.
Among them is the approval of a new three-year process of discernment and implementation of the Synod reform in progress — an endeavor that envisions a more inclusive church, drawing bishops and laity into decision-making.
The Vatican’s synod office released a detailed schedule through 2028 that was personally signed off on by Francis last week from his hospital bed. The plan invites the next phases of discussion, reflection, and implementation across the global church, reaffirming the pope’s commitment to reform despite his health woes.
Doctors, however, are observing steady progress in his medical state. In a latest health bulletin, the Vatican said doctors are gradually discontinuing his nocturnal use of a non-invasive ventilation mask, allowing his lungs to function more on their own.
It is a significant step forward in his recovery, after difficult weeks of respiratory and physical rehabilitation.
Although his condition is stable, Francis remains hospitalized as treatment continues. Doctors highlighted that therapy is making slow but positive progress. The Vatican reported the pope spent his Saturday alternating between prayer, rest, and light work — a routine that has become a part of his daily life as he recovers.
Due to his improving condition, the Vatican announced it would now release less frequent health updates — a step they framed as positive news.
Instead of daily reports, the next health bulletin will be sometime mid-week. They also announced that they’ve stopped providing early morning reports on the pope’s sleep and daily activities, a sign they said of a return to greater normalcy in his care.
Francis was first hospitalized on February 14 at Gemelli hospital after fighting bronchitis that quickly turned into double pneumonia and a polymicrobial infection — a combination of bacterial, viral, and fungal pathogens. His hospitalization has been marked by a number of setbacks, including temporary kidney issues, respiratory crises, and a violent coughing fit in the first few weeks.
But recent developments indicate a more stable recovery trajectory. Doctors have been able to gradually wean him off high-flow oxygen via nasal tubes during the day and transition to lighter respiratory support at night. A recent X-ray indicated that the infection in his lungs is clearing, though there is as yet no timeline for his discharge.
Despite these health issues, the pope has continued to participate in Lenten spiritual exercises and be briefed on church matters.
Vatican officials have said his workload has been lightened to allow him to recuperate, but he remains engaged. On Thursday, Francis marked the 12th anniversary of his election as pope with a low-key ceremony in the hospital, where he was given a cake and hundreds of get-well wishes from around the world.
To date, the only public sign of life from Francis since his hospitalization has been a brief audio message thanking the faithful for their prayers. The message, read in a weak, raspy voice, was broadcast earlier this month in St. Peter’s Square during an evening recitation of the rosary.
For the past four Sundays, his traditional Angelus blessing — usually delivered from a window overlooking the square — has been issued in written form instead.
As he recovers more, Francis is showing no sign of retreating from his papal responsibilities. His determination to forge on with guiding the future of the Church, even from a hospital bed, says a lot about his unshakeable commitment to the mission he began over a decade ago.
