Pope Francis leads the Vespers prayer service on the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord in Saint Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, 1 February 2025;
Credit: Reuters/Ciro De Luca/File Photo
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Francis, who is being treated for a respiratory infection, had a peaceful night, Italian news agency ANSA reported on Monday 17 February 2025, citing sources close to the hospital.
The pontiff, 88, has been suffering from bronchitis for more than a week and was admitted to Rome's Gemelli hospital on Friday morning.
The Vatican said on Saturday that the Pope would remain in hospital for as long as his treatment required.
Francis is not expected to be discharged until the middle of the week, according to ANSA
The Pope was unable to deliver his regular prayer to pilgrims in St Peter's Square on Sunday, or to lead a special mass for artists to mark the Catholic Church's jubilee year.
He has also cancelled a visit to Rome's Cinecitta film studios, scheduled for Monday.
"Thank you for the affection, prayer and closeness with which you accompany me in these days," Pope Francis wrote on X on Sunday 16 February 2025.
