Pope Francis has expressed gratitude to the public through a special audio message recorded from his hospital room, following weeks of health challenges. On March 7, 2025, Vatican News shared the message, which was originally broadcast in St. Peter’s Square on the evening of March 6, sparking a buzz online.
The message, spoken in Spanish, was played at the start of the nightly Rosary prayer led by Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life.
The 88-year-old Pontiff has been hospitalized at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital since February 14, 2025, receiving treatment for bilateral pneumonia.
Since February 24, thousands of worshippers, along with Cardinals residing in Rome, members of the Roman Curia, and clergy from the Diocese of Rome, have gathered nightly in St. Peter’s Square to pray the Holy Rosary for the Pope’s recovery.
The audio message, shared almost three weeks after the Pope’s hospitalization, was described by many as emotional and significant. Believers from around the world responded to the recording with a wide range of reactions, some expressing concern over the Pope’s frail voice.
On YouTube, one person commented, “Why is his face and voice different, is it the same person [sic]?” Another wrote, “He sounds so frail, sending my prayers for healing to Pope Francis [sic].” A third viewer simply noted, “Doesn’t sound [sic] him at all.”
Comments on X also reflected both worry and admiration for Pope Francis. One netizen posted, “Even tho only his voice, it touches me and so moving. Obviously weak but his strength in spirit is admirable [sic].”
Another remarked, “Can’t be sure when this was recorded, but indeed these could be the last words of Francis. Pray for the Church [sic].”
Others expressed hope and appreciation for the Pope’s words. One comment read, “It is so beautiful to hear the Holy Father’s voice, [sic] God bless him.” Another commenter wondered, “Sounded so weak…wonder if he intended it to be his final message to us.”
Some viewers held onto optimism, with one posting, “Nice to hear His Holiness is recovering, if only a bit. Let’s keep the prayers up!”
On March 6, the Holy See Press Office provided the latest medical update, confirming that the Pope’s condition has remained stable in recent days.
The statement noted that Pope Francis did not experience respiratory insufficiency that day. He continued undergoing both respiratory and motor physiotherapy, which was reported to have beneficial effects.
The Pope maintained his regular schedule of alternating between work, prayer, and rest. Before lunch, he also received the Eucharist, according to the Vatican’s statement. The next official health update is expected to be released on Saturday, March 8.
This most recent update follows a previous health scare on February 28, when the Pope experienced a sudden episode of bronchospasm. According to the Holy See Press Office, the incident occurred after the Pope spent the morning in respiratory therapy and prayer in the hospital chapel.
The bronchospasm caused the Pope to vomit, and some of the vomit was accidentally inhaled, which temporarily worsened his respiratory condition.
Medical staff performed a bronchial aspiration to clear his airways and placed him on non-invasive mechanical ventilation. This treatment helped improve his oxygen levels.
Despite the severity of the episode, the Pope remained conscious and alert throughout the event, actively cooperating with his medical team. At the time, Vatican officials said that it would take at least 24 to 48 hours to fully evaluate the Pope’s condition after the bronchospasm.
Even while hospitalized, Pope Francis remained involved in spiritual leadership. On March 5, his homily for Ash Wednesday was read on his behalf by Cardinal Angelo De Donatis at Rome’s Basilica of Saint Sabina.
Before reading the homily, Cardinal De Donatis acknowledged the Pope’s absence and invited the faithful to feel united with him during this time. The homily itself emphasized themes of humility, mortality, and hope.
The Pope reflected on the symbolism of ashes, reminding the faithful that they serve both as a reminder of human fragility and a symbol of hope.
He stated, “We bow our heads in order to receive the ashes, as if to look at ourselves, to look within ourselves. Indeed, the ashes help to remind us that our lives are fragile and insignificant: we are dust, from dust we were created, and to dust we shall return.”
At the same time, Pope Francis highlighted the importance of hope rooted in faith. He said, “The ashes remind us of the hope to which we are called in Jesus, the Son of God, who has taken upon himself the dust of the earth and raised it to the heights of heaven.”
As his health deteriorates, concerns grow over the Pope’s ability to continue leading the Church. However, instead of resting alongside his predecessors in the Vatican, the Pope has chosen a final resting place that reflects his lifelong devotion and humility.
Pope Francis has spent his papacy redefining what it means to be the leader of the Catholic Church, embracing humility and prioritizing the needs of the people. Now, he is making history once again with his decision to forgo burial in the Vatican.
At the same time, the Pope’s declining health has raised serious concerns, and, according to reports, as the Vatican navigates this uncertain period, preparations for his eventual passing are quietly taking shape.
Pope Francis made it clear that when his time comes, he does not want to be buried in the Vatican like many of his predecessors. Instead, he expressed his wish to be laid to rest in Rome’s Basilica of St. Mary Major, a place deeply tied to his personal devotion.
In a December 12, 2023, interview with Mexican news outlet N+, the Pope, in good spirits, openly discussed his funeral plans. He revealed that he had already spoken with Archbishop Diego Giovanni Ravelli, his master of liturgical ceremonies, about the arrangements.
“We simplified them quite a bit,” he said before jokingly adding, “I will premiere the new ritual.” This decision marked a significant departure from tradition.
Historically, popes have been buried in the Vatican Grottoes beneath St. Peter’s Basilica. The last pontiff to break this custom was Pope Leo XIII, who died in 1903 and was interred at the Basilica of St. John Lateran.
As for St. Mary Major, six popes have been buried there, but the most recent was Pope Clement IX in 1669. Pope Francis’ reasoning for his choice was deeply personal.
“It’s my great devotion,” he said, explaining that before becoming pope, he would visit the basilica on Sunday mornings whenever he traveled to Rome.
The site houses the revered Byzantine-style icon known as Salus Populi Romani (Salvation of the People of Rome), which depicts the Virgin Mary holding the infant Jesus.
The Pope has long expressed a special connection to this image, often praying before it after returning from his papal trips. His preference for a final resting place outside the Vatican aligns with his broader emphasis on humility and simplicity.
By November 2024, he had revised the funeral rites that would be used upon his death, streamlining the rituals to highlight his role as a bishop rather than an exalted figure.
The Vatican newspaper L’Osservatore Romano reported that he approved the updated liturgical book on April 29, replacing the previous version last updated in 2000.
The decision to revise these rites came in the wake of Pope Benedict XVI’s death on December 31, 2022. As the first retired pope in 600 years, Benedict’s funeral posed unique challenges for the Vatican, prompting Pope Francis to work with Monsignor Ravelli to simplify the traditional ceremonies.
Although Pope Francis had faced several health setbacks, he remained hopeful about his future, saying he felt “quite well” at the time.
However, he acknowledged the concerns surrounding his condition responding when asked if people should be concerned about his health, “Yes, a little bit, yes. I need them to pray for my health.”
Despite experiencing various health scares, the Pope confirmed that he had never seriously considered resignation in 2023. However, he did not dismiss the possibility in the future, reaffirming his stance that a pope could step down if necessary.
“I ask the Lord to say enough, at some point, but when he wants me to,” he said. If he ever were to retire, Pope Francis stated that he would not live within the Vatican but would instead reside somewhere in Rome in a home for retired priests.
His choice of burial at St. Mary Major further reinforces his commitment to remaining close to the people and the traditions of the city he has long served. “The place is already prepared,” he said.
On February 14, Vatican News reported that Pope Francis would be admitted to the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic hospital after his morning audiences.
The Holy See Press Office later confirmed that he had been suffering from bronchitis for several days, leading to difficulties in delivering his public addresses.
The Pope had already delegated his prepared remarks to be read by others during multiple events, including his Wednesday General Audiences.
Earlier, on February 6, Vatican News had stated that he would hold his audiences from his residence at Casa Santa Marta due to his ongoing illness.
Upon his admission, doctors conducted a series of diagnostic tests, with treatment focused on managing his bronchitis and preventing further complications. By February 18, doctors diagnosed Pope Francis with bilateral pneumonia, adding another layer of concern to his condition.
The Holy See Press Office stated that he was undergoing complex treatment, including corticosteroids and antibiotics, due to a polymicrobial infection.
Despite his worsening symptoms, it was reported that the Pope remained in “good spirits” alternating between rest, prayer, and reading. He also received the Eucharist and extended his gratitude to those who had been praying for his recovery.
However, on February 22, Vatican News shared a concerning update from The Holy See Press Office, revealing that Pope Francis remains in “critical” condition.
An update via Instagram confirmed that the Pope had suffered an asthma-like respiratory crisis earlier that morning, requiring the use of high-flow oxygen.
