If you’ve been scrolling through your feed lately, you might be a bit confused about who’s actually wearing the white cassock in Rome. It’s been a wild ride for the Vatican over the last year. Honestly, when people ask how is the pope doing today, the answer depends entirely on whether they’re talking about the legacy of the late Pope Francis or the current daily grind of his successor, Pope Leo XIV.
Things changed fast.
The Shift Most People Missed
We aren't in the Francis era anymore. 2025 was the year that fundamentally shifted the Catholic world. After a brutal battle with bilateral pneumonia that saw him in and out of Gemelli Hospital, Pope Francis passed away in May 2025. He was 88. It felt like the end of an era because, well, it was. He’d spent years pushing through knee pain and respiratory crises, often appearing in public with a nasal cannula just to keep going.
Now, we have Pope Leo XIV.
If you’re looking for a status update on the current guy, he’s actually doing quite well. He's been incredibly active for a man of his age. Just this month—January 2026—Leo XIV has been sprinting through a schedule that would make a 30-year-old tired. He just wrapped up the "Jubilee of Hope" on January 6th, which was a massive undertaking that Francis had actually started planning before he got too sick.
What’s on the Pope's Plate Right Now?
Basically, he’s in "action mode." This week, the Vatican confirmed he’s moving forward with a special "Year of St. Francis" to mark the 800th anniversary of the saint’s death. It’s a bit of a nod to his predecessor's namesake, which is a nice touch.
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- He held a major consistory with cardinals on January 7-8.
- He’s already planning a massive trip to Spain (Madrid, Barcelona, and the Canary Islands).
- He is deep into "Synodality," which is just a fancy Church word for "listening to everyone."
The transition hasn't been without drama, though. You’ve got different camps in the Church—some who miss the vibe Francis brought and others who are relieved to see a new direction. Leo is sort of walking a tightrope. He’s keeping the focus on migrants and the poor (Francis’s big thing) but also trying to tighten up some of the internal bickering among the cardinals.
How Is the Pope Doing Today: Health Check
Leo XIV doesn't seem to have the same mobility issues that plagued Francis in his final years. You won't see him in a wheelchair nearly as often. During the Epiphany Mass recently, he looked steady. That’s a big deal for the "Vatican watchers" because health is always the first thing people check when a Pope reaches his 70s or 80s.
Is he still traveling?
Yes. A lot.
There’s talk about him going to Algeria later this year. He’s also looking at Argentina and Uruguay. Francis always wanted to go back home to Argentina but never quite made it happen at the end. Leo seems determined to fulfill some of those "unmet promises."
It’s worth noting that the Vatican's medical team is still on high alert. You don't just "relax" when you're responsible for an octogenarian world leader. But for now, the official word from the Holy See Press Office is that he’s in excellent spirits and remarkably stable.
The Reality of the Transition
Changing a Pope is like changing the CEO of the world’s oldest corporation, but with more incense and Latin.
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When you ask how the Pope is doing, you have to look at the "institutional health" too. The Church is currently dealing with some big lawsuits—specifically the Becciu case regarding London real estate—and Leo has to navigate that mess. He’s also dealing with the "Last Judgment" restoration in the Sistine Chapel, which starts this month.
Imagine trying to pray while construction crews are touching up Michelangelo’s masterpieces right above your head. Kinda stressful, right?
Why people are still talking about Francis
Even though Francis is gone, his influence is everywhere. People still search for his health updates because he was such a monumental figure. His death in May 2025 left a void that Leo is still filling. Honestly, it’s like when a legendary coach retires; the new guy is doing a great job, but everyone still remembers the old ways.
Leo has been very careful to honor that legacy. He’s not "undoing" Francis. He’s just... stabilizing things. He’s been meeting with the Secretary of State, Cardinal Parolin, almost daily to ensure the transition of power doesn't leave any gaps in the Church's diplomatic efforts.
What This Means for You
If you’re a practicing Catholic or just someone who follows global news, the current Pope’s status is a sign of "business as usual" after a very chaotic 2025. The mourning period is over. The "Jubilee" is closed. Now, it’s about what Leo XIV wants the Church to look like for the next decade.
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Key Takeaways:
- Health: Pope Leo XIV is currently stable and very mobile compared to his predecessor.
- Focus: He's emphasizing peace, specifically in war-torn regions, and the environment.
- Legacy: He is continuing the "Synod on Synodality" but with his own organizational flair.
- Travel: 2026 is shaping up to be a record-breaking year for papal flights.
If you want to stay updated on his specific daily schedule, the best place is actually the Vatican Press Office's daily bulletin. They post the list of who he met with every morning around noon Rome time. It’s dry reading, but it’s the only way to know for sure what he’s up to without the "news cycle" spin.
Watch for his upcoming trip to Spain in the next few months. That will be the real test of his stamina. Until then, the Pope is doing just fine—keeping busy, staying healthy, and trying to keep a billion people on the same page.
Check the official @Pontifex account on X (formerly Twitter) for his daily "mini-homilies." They usually give a good vibe check on what he's thinking about that morning.
Next Steps to Stay Informed:
- Check the Vatican News official website every Sunday for the Angelus report to see how he looks and sounds in person.
- Monitor the Apostolic Penitentiary decrees if you're interested in the specific spiritual "perks" (like indulgences) he's offering during this Year of St. Francis.