Reports from international media, including Politico, indicate concerning news regarding Pope Francis’s health. According to two sources, the 88-year-old Pope is enduring severe pain and has privately expressed doubt about his recovery.
The Pope is currently receiving treatment in a specialized unit at Gemelli Hospital in Rome for a respiratory infection. He has canceled his scheduled activities and is following medical advice closely.
Initially reluctant to go to the hospital, the Pope was persuaded after doctors warned him of the potential for a fatal outcome if he remained in his Vatican residence.
Recognizing the decline in his health, Pope Francis made several key decisions, including appointing capable bishops to significant positions.
On February 6, the Pope appointed Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re as the head of the College of Cardinals, a crucial role in overseeing the process for selecting the next Pope. Although Cardinal Re is too old to vote in the Conclave, he is expected to play a pivotal behind-the-scenes role, safeguarding the current Pope’s legacy.
Even if Pope Francis survives this illness, analysts view these actions as a potential turning point, signaling a shift in focus from reform efforts to ensuring their closure under his papacy.
