Pope Francis has been hospitalized for health issues for the past 14 days at the Policlínico Gemelli, and recent updates indicate clinical improvement. According to Vatican News, it was confirmed on February 27, 2025, "Today also confirms the improvement of the clinical conditions of the Holy Father...more days of clinical stability are necessary to resolve the prognosis."
During his hospitalization, the Holy Father has been alternating high-flow oxygen therapy with the use of the ventimask, emphasizing the complexity of his health condition. Each morning, he has dedicated time to respiratory physiotherapy, taking breaks and resting afterward.
Despite the positive updates, Mons. Francisco César García Magán, secretary general and spokesperson for the Spanish Episcopal Conference (CEE), expressed certainty during a recent meeting of the Permanent Commission of Spanish bishops on the likelihood of Pope Francis resigning, stating, "We are not experiencing any circumstances for the Pope to resign." This statement echoes the Pope's earlier remarks on the necessity of freedom and formality in resignation, as noted in canon 332.2 of the Code of Canon Law. García Magán highlighted the conditions under which Pope Francis provided his resignation letter to Cardinal Bertone back in 2013. "I signed it and said: 'Should there be impediments for medical reasons, here is my resignation,'" he shared with ABC in 2022.
"What the Pope currently faces are age-related illnesses, not mental impairments or restrictions," García Magán clarified, reitering the Pope's strength and leadership. He reminded the public, "The Church is not governed with the knees, but with the head, with the help of the Holy Spirit." This statement was made during discussions about the state of the papacy following the significant transitions within the Catholic Church.
Potential Successors and Future Conclave Participation
Should Pope Francis pass during his current hospitalization, various Spanish cardinals under the age of 80 are positioned to participate in the conclave. García Magán identified four: Cardinal José Cobo, the Archbishop of Madrid; Cardinal Juan José Omella, Archbishop of Barcelona; Cardinal Carlos Osoro, retired Archbishop of Madrid; and Cardinal Antonio Cañizares, retired Archbishop of Valencia. Notably, due to health concerns, Cardinal Cañizares may not be able to travel to Rome if required.
Besides these archbishops, García Magán mentioned others, such as Cardinal Fernando Vérguez, who will turn 80 on March 1, and Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, pro-prefect of the Dicastery for the Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. Also noted are three additional Spanish-born cardinals serving other episcopal conferences who remain below the 80-year age threshold.
With the situation at hand, the advice from García Magán to the faithful remains firm: he urged the Church to amplify their prayers for the recovery of Pope Francis, calling for "affection and communion" among the people of God.
Indeed, as news about the Pope’s health continues to develop, the global Catholic community watches closely, hoping for full recovery and continued leadership from the Pontiff.