Pope's Health: Double Pneumonia Challenges Vatican City

Pope Francis is hospitalized with double pneumonia and won't lead Sunday's Angelus prayer for a second week. While not life-threatening, his condition remains serious. The Vatican says the prayer will be published instead of read out, as the Pope recuperates at Rome's Gemelli hospital.

Pope Francis, currently under medical care for double pneumonia, will be unable to lead Sunday’s Angelus prayer for the second consecutive week, according to the Vatican. The Pope is being treated at Rome’s Gemelli hospital following admission on February 14 due to breathing difficulties.

Mixed reports about the Pope’s condition have surfaced, with his medical team stating he is not out of danger but currently not in a life-threatening position. A Vatican report on Saturday noted that the Pope 'rested well' overnight, though it gave no details about his mobility or activities like eating breakfast.

The Vatican press office announced that the Sunday Angelus prayer will be published rather than delivered publicly. Double pneumonia, affecting both lungs, makes breathing hard and can result in serious complications. The Vatican describes the Pope’s condition as 'complex', attributing it to multiple micro-organisms, while Dr. Sergio Alfieri from Gemelli hospital highlighted the precarious nature of the situation.