Pope Francis

Pope's health crisis sparks prayers from thousands gathered in St. Peter's Square

By Giovanna Dell'Orto, Associated Press

Thousands of people have gathered in St. Peter’s Square to pray for an ailing Pope Francis, expressing sorrow for his suffering, hope for his recovery and gratitude for his efforts to steer the Catholic Church in new directions.

Pope Francis was well enough to hold meetings at the hospital, the Vatican says

By Nicole Winfield, Trisha Thomas, Associated Press

The Vatican's Tuesday noon bulletin announced that Francis had approved decrees for two new saints and five people for beatification.

Pope Francis shows slight improvement but his condition remains critical, Vatican says

By Nicole Winfield, Trisha Thomas, Associated Press

The Vatican says Pope Francis remains in critical condition but has showed slight improvement in laboratory tests.

Vatican announces nighttime prayers for the health of Pope Francis on St. Peter's Square

By Nicole Winfield, Trisha Thomas, Associated Press

The Vatican on Monday announced the start of nighttime prayers for the health of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square, and invited Romans and others to join in, as the 88-year-old pontiff battled a complex lung infection and complications.

Pope is awake, resting on 10th day of hospitalization after early stages of kidney insufficiency detected

By Nicole Winfield, Associated Press

Pope Francis woke up and was continuing his therapies Monday after a quiet night, on the 10th day of his hospitalization for a complex lung infection that has provoked the early stages of kidney insufficiency, the Vatican said.

Prayers pour in for Pope Francis, in critical condition with early kidney failure but still alert

By Nicole Winfield, Associated Press

Pope Francis remained in critical condition Sunday and blood tests show early kidney failure but he remains alert and “well-oriented,” and attended Mass, the Vatican said, as the 88-year-old pontiff battles pneumonia and a complex lung infection.

Pope Francis in critical condition after asthmatic respiratory crisis, Vatican says

By Nicole Winfield, Silvia Stellacci, Associated Press

The 88-year-old Pope Francis, who has been hospitalized for a week with a complex lung infection, also received blood transfusions after tests showed a condition associated with anemia, the Vatican said in a late update.

Medical team says Pope Francis isn't out of danger but his condition isn't life-threatening

By Nicole Winfield, Associated Press

The 88-year-old pontiff marked his first week in a hospital with pneumonia on top of chronic bronchitis. Francis’ doctors delivered their first in-person update on the pope's condition.

Pope Francis is out of bed, eating and working at hospital while recovering from pneumonia

By Nicole Winfield, Associated Press

“If you really want him to rest, you have to hospitalize him,” quipped Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline, the archbishop of Marseille, France, referring to Francis' work ethic.

Italian PM Meloni visits Pope Francis in hospital as he battles complex respiratory infection

By Nicole Winfield, Andrea Rosa, Paolo Santalucia, Associated Press

The Vatican said Francis' overall condition remained stationary, but that blood tests showed a “slight improvement" in key inflammation indices. Francis also worked in the afternoon with his collaborators, the Vatican said in a late statement.