section_path: Last days and death/Final illness
section_name: Final illness
paragraph_text: Final illness
  
  On 14 February 2025, Francis entered Gemelli Hospital in Rome due to bronchitis. His hospital stay was extended due to a polymicrobial infection of his respiratory tract and bilateral pneumonia. Vatican News described his condition as critical and reported that he was given blood transfusions and high-flow oxygen. On 23 February, it was announced that Francis had early-stage kidney failure, though his condition remained "under control". On 26 February, he showed slight improvement, but suffered a bronchial spasm two days later, causing him to inhale vomit and require non-invasive mechanical ventilation, with the Vatican stating that his prognosis remained guarded. On 3 March, it was reported that he had been removed from mechanical ventilation and was recovering. The Vatican disclosed that Francis had suffered two episodes of " acute respiratory insufficiency ". After this episode, the third major downturn in the Pope's condition, mechanical ventilation was resumed that afternoon.
  
  On 19 March, it was reported that Francis was no longer using mechanical ventilation at night, with his doctors stating that his lung infection was under control, although not eliminated. He was discharged from hospital on 23 March, immediately after blessing a crowd from his balcony; he was expected to spend at least two months recuperating at his home at Domus Sanctae Marthae in Vatican City, maintaining a reduced work schedule. He appeared in public for the first time since the hospitalization on 6 April.
  
  On Easter Sunday, 20 April, Francis met with United States Vice President JD Vance to exchange Easter greetings. Francis delegated the traditional Easter Mass to Cardinal Angelo Comastri, but made a public appearance to personally bestow the Urbi et Orbi blessing, and to meet people in his popemobile in Saint Peter's Square. The last political official to meet with Pope Francis was Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković. His final spoken words were a message of thanks to his nurse, Massimiliano Strappetti, for allowing him to appear in the Square of St Peter. Francis then rested that afternoon and had dinner.