Pope Francis no longer using oxygen mask, showing signs of improvement – Vatican

• Posted on March 20, 2025March 20, 2025
• by Nana Kwesi Coomson
• Comment

Pope Francis, 88, is no longer using an oxygen mask at night, and his doctors believe he will continue to improve, according to a Vatican statement on Wednesday, March 19, 2025.

The pontiff had been using noninvasive mechanical ventilation overnight after being hospitalized at Gemelli Hospital in Rome for a severe respiratory infection.

The Vatican press office reported that while mechanical ventilation has been suspended, the pope is still receiving oxygen therapy via a small plastic tube under his nose. His doctors believe the infection is under control, with normal blood tests and no fever.

Francis was admitted to the hospital on February 14 after suffering from pneumonia in both lungs. Since then, he has undergone respiratory physiotherapy to aid his breathing and physical therapy for knee and back pain.

The Vatican has not provided a timeline for his discharge, though the pope’s condition has been stable or improving for the past two weeks.

Meanwhile, Britain’s King Charles and Queen Camilla are set to visit Italy and the Vatican in early April, with a scheduled meeting with Pope Francis on April 8.

The pope, who had part of one lung removed as a young man, remains prone to respiratory infections but continues to recover steadily.