Pope Francis (88), the head of the Catholic Church, is in a critical health condition. He is battling pneumonia, which has affected both his lungs. Due to a polymicrobial respiratory tract infection, he was admitted to the hospital on February 14. Doctors have confirmed that he has pneumonia in both lungs.

Reports suggest that Pope Francis has told his aides that he may not recover from pneumonia and does not expect to live much longer. Preparations for selecting his successor have reportedly begun. The Pope was admitted to the Gemelli Hospital in Rome last Friday, and doctors have been working tirelessly to improve his condition. However, he is struggling to breathe, raising concerns that his recovery may be difficult.

Pope Francis, who has led the Catholic Church since 2013, has faced several health challenges over the years. In 2021, he underwent hernia and colon surgery, and due to knee pain, he has been confined to a wheelchair. At the age of 21, he nearly died from an illness, and doctors had to surgically remove a part of his right lung to save his life.