The Pope marks a week in hospital – as cardinal suggests he could resign

Pope Francis, who has been in hospital with an infection in both lungs, has had a good night, the Vatican said – as a cardinal suggested the pontiff could resign.

In a brief update on his health, the Vatican said the 88-year-old got up and had breakfast following his seventh night at the Gemelli hospital in Rome, where he is being treated for double pneumonia.

On Thursday, the Vatican said the Pope’s overall condition was “improving slightly” and his heart is working well.

He was also reported to have worked from his hospital room with his aides after breakfast on Thursday.

Millions of people around the world have been concerned for the Pope’s increasingly frail health.

Last Friday, the pontiff was admitted to hospital after struggling with breathing difficulties as a bout of bronchitis had worsened.

The Pope has been diagnosed with pneumonia in both lungs, on top of a polymicrobial infection in his respiratory tract, meaning a combination of bacteria, viral and other organisms.

He is taking a combination of antibiotics and cortisone for what doctors also diagnosed as asthmatic bronchitis.

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Amid speculation over whether the Pope, who has in the past hinted at a possible resignation over heath issues, will stay on as leader of the Catholic Church, Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi said Francis could choose to step down.

Asked if he thought the Pope could choose to resign, he told Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera: “I believe so. If he should have some serious struggles carrying out his service, he will make his choice.”

But the cardinal suggested the Pope may want to stay on for the Jubilee, taking place this year, as he feels it’s his “great moment”.

Shortly after being elected pope in March 2013, Francis wrote a resignation letter in case medical issues stopped him from carrying out his duties, the Argentinian has previously confirmed.

Pope Francis has a history of respiratory illness, having lost part of one of his lungs to pleurisy as a young man.

He had an acute case of pneumonia in 2023 and is prone to respiratory infections in winter.