Pope Hospitalized: Sends Editor’s Letter Ahead of April 8 Meeting with King Charles

After a month of hospitalization due to a complex lung infection and double pneumonia, Pope Francis has begun to rely on less intensive oxygen support. He is now using standard supplemental oxygen delivered through a nasal tube as he continues his recovery.

In a letter dated March 14 and released by Italian daily Corriere della Sera, the 88-year-old pontiff reflected on the lessons his illness has imparted. He emphasized the “absurdity of war,” underscoring the need for enhanced diplomacy and credible actions from international organizations.

Pope Francis’ message included a call to the media to recognize the weight of their words. “They are never just words,” he stated, highlighting their power to connect or divide. His plea was a reminder that language can serve truth or be manipulated for other agendas. “We must disarm words, to disarm minds and disarm the Earth,” he concluded.

As health updates continue, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s second-in-command, dismissed speculation about the pope’s resignation. “Absolutely no,” he affirmed, after visiting Francis twice in the hospital, the last time on March 2. Parolin noted significant improvements in the pontiff’s condition since his initial visit.

Current reports indicate that while there are slight improvements in Pope Francis’s health, no timeline for his discharge has been established. However, Buckingham Palace has confirmed that King Charles III will meet with the pope on April 8 at the Vatican, a visit indicating confidence in the pope’s recovery.

Amid these developments, the Vatican released a recent photograph of Francis, showing him in prayer in his wheelchair within his private chapel, which offered reassurance to those concerned about his health. The image, coupled with an audio message recorded on March 6, reflects the pope’s efforts to manage public perception of his condition carefully.

Reactions from the faithful have been mixed but largely positive. Some visitors to Gemelli Hospital expressed relief at seeing the photo, noting a visible improvement in his health. “It makes me feel better,” said Sister Mary, a nun from Kenya, highlighting a sense of continuity within the Church.

In contrast, some skeptics questioned the authenticity of the image and the lack of public appearances, reminiscent of the later years of Pope John Paul II, who often engaged with the public despite his frailties. “If the pope can sit without a mask, why didn’t he look out the window?” asked visitor Benedetta Flagiello.

The ongoing situation not only affects the pope but is also reflective of broader anxieties surrounding leadership within the Catholic Church during turbulent times.