Pope Francis has been receiving treatment at Rome’s Gemelli hospital for the past 18 days due to double pneumonia. This lengthy stay marks the most extended hospitalization during his 12-year papacy, although it does not rival the record of St. John Paul II, who had much longer hospital stays during his time.
St. John Paul II was famously hospitalized for extended periods, often jokingly referring to Gemelli as “Vatican III” due to his many visits. In contrast, Pope Francis has not utilized the papal retreat at Castel Gandolfo and rarely takes vacations outside the Vatican. During his time at Gemelli, Francis has even begun signing official documents as coming “From the Gemelli Polyclinic.” It is worth noting that Pope Benedict XVI was never admitted to Gemelli during his papacy.
Before his current hospitalization, Pope Francis had previously been treated at Gemelli three times: first for abdominal surgery in July 2021, then for pneumonia in March 2023, and again for surgery to repair an abdominal hernia in June 2023.
Gemelli hospital has dedicated a permanent exhibit in honor of St. John Paul II’s hospital stays, featuring a chapel named after him and a statue that has become a place for pilgrims to pray for Pope Francis.
During his papacy from 1978 to 2005, John Paul II had several notable hospitalizations. Here are a few significant instances:
- May 13-June 3, 1981: He spent 20 days recovering after an assassination attempt left him with gunshot wounds.
- June 20-August 14, 1981: In his longest stay, John Paul underwent minor surgery and treatment for an infection.
- July 15-July 29, 1992: He was hospitalized for 14 days for urgent surgery on a large polyp.
- April 29-May 27, 1994: Following a fall, he had surgery for a hip fracture, staying for 28 days.
- February 24-March 13, 2005: He faced respiratory problems after the flu, leading to an 18-day hospitalization before passing away in April of that year.
As Pope Francis continues to recuperate, his health and the future of his papacy remain closely watched by many around the world.
