People are always asking. It's one of those search terms that spikes every time he cancels a meeting or spends an extra day at Gemelli Hospital. How is the Pope? It sounds like a simple wellness check, but for 1.3 billion Catholics and a massive chunk of the global political landscape, the answer carries a lot of weight.
He’s 89.
Let that sink in. Most people his age are long retired, yet Jorge Mario Bergoglio is still navigating the complex, often cutthroat bureaucracy of the Holy See while managing a body that is, quite frankly, tired. To understand how the Pope is actually doing, you have to look past the official "everything is fine" press releases from the Vatican and look at the physical reality of a man living with one functional lung and a very rebellious set of knees.
The Reality of Chronic Health Battles
When you ask how is the Pope today, you’re usually asking about his mobility. It’s no secret that the wheelchair has become a permanent fixture in his public appearances. He has severe sciatica—a literal pain in the nerve that makes standing for long liturgies a nightmare. But the real culprit lately has been his knee. Specifically, a torn ligament that he refused to have surgery on because he had a bad reaction to general anesthesia during his colon surgery in 2021.
He’s stubborn.
That stubbornness is why you see him wincing as he moves from the popemobile to his chair. It’s not just "old age." It's a calculated choice to manage pain through physical therapy rather than go under the knife again.
Then there’s the respiratory stuff. People forget that as a young man in Argentina, he had a significant portion of his right lung removed due to a nasty bout of pneumonia. While the human body is remarkably adaptable, having "less lung" means that every time a common cold or a flu season rolls around, the Vatican goes into high alert. In late 2023 and throughout 2024, we saw him skip several high-profile events, including the COP28 climate summit in Dubai, because of acute inflammation of the respiratory tract. When he gets a cold, it’s never just a cold. It’s a threat.
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The Gemelli Factor
Romans call Gemelli University Hospital "Vatican No. 3" because the popes stay there so often. Francis has had a few "stuck in the shop" moments there. In 2023, he underwent a laparotomy to repair an incisional hernia that was causing intestinal blocks. It was a serious surgery.
The recovery was slow.
But here’s the thing about Francis: his mind seems to be moving at 100 miles per hour even when his legs can't keep up. Doctors like Sergio Alfieri, who performed his abdominal surgery, have noted that the Pope is a "lucid" patient who is already back to work on his iPad before the stitches are even dry. This disconnect between a sharp, reform-minded brain and a slowing physical frame is the central tension of his papacy right now.
Is Resignation Actually on the Table?
This is the "elephant in the room" whenever the question of "how is the Pope" comes up. Ever since Benedict XVI broke 600 years of tradition by stepping down, the precedent exists. Francis has been asked about this a dozen times. His answer is usually some variation of: "The door is open, but I’m not thinking about it yet."
He’s called the papacy an "ad vitam" (for life) office.
However, he has also admitted that he already signed a resignation letter years ago to be used in case of "medical impediment." This means if he ever suffers a stroke or dementia where he can't make decisions, the Church isn't stuck in a legal limbo. It’s a safety net. But for now, as long as he can govern, he’s staying. He feels he has too much "unfinished business," particularly with the Synod on Synodality and his efforts to make the Church more inclusive for LGBTQ+ individuals and those on the margins.
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The Mental Load of a Global Leader
We talk about his knees and his lungs, but what about his spirit? Honestly, the guy looks exhausted sometimes. Between the ongoing abuse scandals that continue to haunt the Church and the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, the "moral weight" he carries is immense.
He’s a man of sorrows.
You can see it in his eyes during the Urbi et Orbi addresses. He isn't just a figurehead; he’s a diplomat. He spends his days meeting with heads of state and bishops from around the world. That kind of schedule would wreck a 40-year-old executive. For an 89-year-old, it’s borderline miraculous that he hasn't completely burnt out.
Daily Routine in the Santa Marta
Unlike previous popes who lived in the isolated, palatial Apostolic Palace, Francis lives in a suite in the Casa Santa Marta, a Vatican guesthouse. He eats in the common dining room. He makes his own coffee sometimes. This "normalcy" is how he keeps his sanity. It allows him to stay "in the world" even though he’s technically the sovereign of the world’s smallest state.
His day starts early—usually around 4:30 AM. He spends a few hours in prayer and meditation before the "business" of the day begins. This spiritual discipline is likely the only reason he’s still standing (or sitting) at his age.
Why the World Obsesses Over His Vital Signs
Why does a secular person in New York or Tokyo care how is the Pope? It’s because the transition of power in the Vatican is one of the last great mysteries of the modern world. When a Pope dies or resigns, the "Sede Vacante" period begins, and the College of Cardinals locks themselves in the Sistine Chapel for a Conclave.
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The stakes are high.
Francis has appointed the vast majority of the Cardinals who will vote for his successor. He has effectively "stacked the deck" with men who share his vision of a more pastoral, less dogmatic Church. Every time he has a coughing fit, the "Vaticanistas" (the journalists who cover the Holy See) start looking at the odds for the next Pope. They look at names like Cardinal Parolin or Cardinal Zuppi. It’s a morbid but necessary game of political chess.
What to Watch For in the Coming Months
If you want to track how the Pope is actually doing without relying on rumors, watch his travel schedule. That’s the real barometer. If he’s booking flights to Asia or Africa, he’s feeling strong. If those trips get postponed or replaced by video messages, something is wrong.
Keep an eye on his voice, too.
During the 2024 Lenten season, he often had aides read his speeches because he was struggling with "bronchitis and influenza." When he speaks for himself, he’s usually okay, but when he delegates the reading, it means he’s trying to conserve every ounce of energy for the actual governance.
The Impact of the "Long Papacy"
Francis is now entering the "twilight" phase that every long-reigning leader eventually hits. The "How is the Pope?" question becomes less about his health and more about his legacy. He’s trying to cement reforms that are frankly being resisted by more conservative factions, especially in the United States. This internal friction is a stressor that doesn't show up on an X-ray, but it definitely impacts his well-being.
Actionable Takeaways for Staying Informed
Following the health of a global figure like the Pope requires a bit of media literacy. It’s easy to get sucked into clickbait headlines. Here is how to actually monitor the situation:
- Check the Holy See Press Office (Sala Stampa): They provide the "official" word. While they are sometimes late to report bad news, they are the only authorized source for medical bulletins.
- Look at the "Bollettino": This is the daily list of who the Pope met. If the list is empty for several days, he’s likely resting or undergoing treatment.
- Follow Trusted Vaticanistas: Journalists like Gerard O'Connell (America Magazine) or Nicole Winfield (AP) have deep sources inside the Vatican. They usually know the truth long before the official channels admit it.
- Understand the "Resignation" Rumors: Ignore any headline that says "Pope Francis to Resign Next Week." These have been circulating for five years. Unless it comes from a direct announcement, it’s just speculation.
The reality is that Pope Francis is an elderly man with significant physical limitations who is nonetheless determined to work until the very end. He’s "fine" in the way any 89-year-old with one lung and bad knees is fine—which is to say, he’s hanging in there, but every day is a bit of a battle. He remains the most visible moral authority on the planet, and as long as he can breathe and speak, he seems intent on using that platform. Keep watching the balcony; as long as he’s showing up for the Sunday Angelus, the "How is the Pope?" answer is: "Working."