London and Rome – Pope Francis’ “the overall condition remains stable amid his complicated medical situation and his prognosis remains reserved,” the Vatican said Friday.
The Pope “prayed in the chapel for about 20 minutes in his 10th floor apartment, and the rest of the time was alternating between rest, physical therapy, prayer and a bit of work,” the Vatican said.
According to the Vatican, he continues to use “high-flow oxygen therapy during the day and non-invasive mechanical ventilation at night.”
The Pope “had a quiet night and woke up just after 8am,” the Vatican said Friday morning.
The 88-year-old Pope “remained stable compared to the previous day” and did not have an “episode of respiratory failure” Thursday, his 21st day at the hospital said in an evening update.
Although Friday has been marked at the hospital for 22 days in a row, the Pope has offered his hope in the form of his first public comment since being admitted on Thursday.
“I sincerely thank you for your prayers for my health from the square, I will accompany you from here. May God bless you and the virgins protect you. The statement was made at the beginning of the Rosary in St. Peter’s Square.
The nun responds to audio messages recorded by Pope Francis at the beginning of the Rosary Prayer service for the health of Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square, held in Vatican City, Italy on March 6, 2025.
Christopher Farlong/Getty Images
The Pope “continued to benefit from respiratory and exercise physiotherapy,” the Vatican press agency Holy See said in an update Thursday evening. “Hemodynamic parameters and blood tests remained stable. He did not present with a fever.”
“Doctors still reserve the prognosis,” the Vatican said.
The Vatican said “in light of the stability of the clinical picture,” which will not provide another medical update on the Pope until Saturday.
Francis, who has been heading the Catholic Church since 2013, was admitted to Gemeri Hospital in Rome on February 14th and was diagnosed with bilateral pneumonia.
