The health condition of Pope Francis, who has been battling pneumonia, has shown slight improvement, the Vatican confirmed on Thursday.
According to a Vatican spokesperson, the 88-year-old pontiff no longer has a fever.
He was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital last Friday, though there is still no confirmed date for his discharge.
A few days ago, doctors diagnosed him with pneumonia in both lungs. Reports suggest that Pope Francis had resisted hospitalization since mid-December, despite visible health concerns.
On Thursday, Italian Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi suggested that the pope might consider stepping down if his health significantly worsens.
“If he reaches a point where he can no longer maintain direct contact with people, I believe he might consider resigning,” Ravasi said in a radio interview, describing the pope’s condition as “complex but not critical.”
Similarly, French Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline did not rule out the possibility of resignation, stating, “Everything is possible.”
His comments fueled speculation that Pope Francis could follow in the footsteps of his predecessor, Benedict XVI, who resigned in 2013 due to health issues and lived in seclusion until his passing in 2022.
However, Pope Francis has repeatedly dismissed rumors of an imminent resignation.
He previously revealed that he had submitted a signed resignation letter to the Vatican Secretariat of State at the start of his papacy—only to be enacted if he became incapacitated and unable to fulfill his duties.
During a Vatican news conference, Cardinal Aveline urged Catholics worldwide to pray for Pope Francis.
“He is exhausted. He is one of those people who need to be taken to the hospital to recover properly; otherwise, they never fully heal,” said Aveline, who is among the potential successors to Francis.
Meanwhile, Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni visited Pope Francis at the hospital on Wednesday. According to Corriere della Sera, the pope remained in good spirits during their conversation.
“The doctors have told me to take care of myself, or I’ll go straight to heaven,” the pope reportedly joked. He also acknowledged speculation about his health, adding, “I know there are people out there saying my time has come.”
After their 20-minute meeting, Meloni’s office reported that Pope Francis was awake, alert, and had not lost his well-known sense of humor.
The Vatican reported that the pope had spent a sixth consecutive night in the hospital without complications. He got up in the morning and had breakfast in an armchair.
Initially admitted for bronchitis, concerns about his condition grew when the Vatican later revealed that he was suffering from double pneumonia.
As speculation about the future of the papacy continues, the Vatican has reassured the public that Pope Francis’ condition is stable and improving.
