Health Scare Causes Concern for Pope Francis as Hospitalization Continues

Pope Francis, 88, remains hospitalized at Rome’s Gemelli hospital due to a "polymicrobial respiratory tract infection," according to spokesman Matteo Bruni. The Vatican announced that the pontiff’s test results indicate a "complex clinical picture," necessitating an extended hospital stay, although no specific timeline has been provided. Bruni reported that Pope Francis is in "good spirits," having eaten breakfast and read the newspapers while continuing to make phone calls to parish members in Gaza from his hospital bed. Previously suffering from bronchitis for over a week, the pontiff had insisted on completing his Friday morning audiences before seeking medical attention. The pope's health has raised concerns, as he struggled with shortness of breath in the days leading up to his hospitalization. His next public engagements include a scheduled weekly audience on Wednesday and the ordination of deacons on Sunday, both of which are under review due to his current condition. This is not the first health scare for the pope; he was previously hospitalized for pneumonia in 2023 and underwent surgery for an abdominal hernia the same year.

Pope Francis has been admitted to the Policlinico Agostino Gemelli in Rome for treatment of bronchitis, according to the Vatican. This hospitalization, announced on February 14, 2025, follows the 88-year-old pontiff's struggles to speak during public engagements earlier that day. The Vatican stated that Francis has been dealing with bronchitis for over a week and is undergoing necessary diagnostic tests in a hospital setting. As a result, he will miss several scheduled public events, including a Mass at St. Peter's Basilica and a public audience planned for Saturday, as well as a visit to Rome's Cinecitta film studios on Monday. This is not the first instance of health issues for the pontiff, who has experienced respiratory challenges since December, including a recent cold diagnosed as bronchitis. Francis has a history of health complications, having undergone lung surgery in his youth and facing multiple respiratory infections in recent years. Despite these health challenges, Pope Francis has continued to maintain a busy schedule, including international travels.

Jannik Sinner, the world number one tennis player, has accepted a three-month suspension following two doping violations last year. According to reports, the suspension was a result of an agreement with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). In March 2024, Sinner tested positive for the anabolic steroid Clostebol during the Masters in Indian Wells. Sinner was initially cleared by the International Tennis Integrity Agency, which accepted his explanation that he unknowingly received the substance from his physiotherapist during treatment for a cut. However, WADA challenged this decision, leading to a hearing at the Court of Arbitration for Sport that has now been rendered unnecessary by Sinner's acceptance of the suspension. His management stated that the WADA investigation concluded Sinner had no intent to cheat and did not gain a competitive advantage from the positive tests. The suspension will prevent him from competing in several significant tournaments, including the BMW Open in Munich and the Masters in Indian Wells, but he is expected to return to play in May, notably for the home Masters in Rome.