Pope Francis Health Update | What We Know

The spiritual leader of more than 1.3 Catholics around the world, the Pope has long been considered an example of dedication and resilience. These traits have been especially evident in Pope Francis since he took office in 2013.

However, some recent concerns about the Pope’s health have left believers around the world concerned about his health and what it means for the future.

A recent announcement from the Vatican concerning the Pope’s upcoming travel plans led to widespread speculation about Pope Francis’ health. Find out more about what’s happening with the leader of the Catholic Church today.

The Pope’s Recent Health Scare

The concern around Pope Francis’ health stems from an announcement from the Vatican canceling a pair of scheduled trips due to what the Vatican called “a mild case of the flu.”

The 87-year-old Pope has upcoming trips scheduled to Luxembourg and Belgium, and the Vatican insisted that the cancellation of a pair of appearances revolved around protecting that trip. While these cancellations were precautionary in nature, they did come on the heels of some other health issues for Pope Francis.

During his 11 years as Pope, Pope Francis has dealt with respiratory issues and knee problems, which are both to be expected of a man of his age. Much of the public’s concern revolving around this bout with the flu, which seems to be a setback from a recent run-in with the virus, relates to the respiratory problems that he’s experienced in the past.

The Pope’s issues with knee pain have left him in a wheelchair during some appearances, which led to widespread worry. The public appearances that were canceled most recently aren’t the first to be canceled during his tenure as Pope. Because of his knee problems, the Pope has canceled appearances in the past.

Additionally, the Pope underwent surgery in 2021 to remove a portion of his colon. That led to some Catholics wondering if he would resign from the Papacy, but he recovered fully from the procedure.

Will the Pope Make His Scheduled Trip?

As of right now, the Pope is still scheduled to visit Belgium and Luxembourg from September 26 through September 29. This trip has long been considered one of the most important of Pope Francis’ tenure, as it furthers his commitment to addressing some global concerns about the church and fostering relationships on an international level.

As part of this trip, Pope Francis is scheduled to meet with local community leaders and even leaders of other faiths as a means of building a bridge between the Catholic Church and the people that it interacts with on a global level.

The Vatican is insistent that the Pope will not cancel this trip, at least not due to any of his recent health issues.

This further underscores Pope Francis’ commitment to carrying out the mission that he accepted when he became the leader of the Catholic Church. His commitment to the Church and the world as a whole is why more than 1 billion people can look to him as a paragon of resilience and commitment.

The Global Concern for The Pope’s Health

Pope Francis’ health is not just the concern of those closest to him and the other leaders of the Catholic Church. With 1.3 billion members worldwide, the entire Catholic Church closely monitors everything that goes on with the Pope, including his health.

Being physically able to travel the world, and meet with government leaders, Catholic officials, and others is a vital part of his role.

When his age is combined with his health issues, it’s certainly not a surprise that many members of the Catholic community are concerned about this latest bit of news. The Vatican, which is ultimately responsible for determining the Pope’s schedule, has responded to some of these concerns by taking a careful approach to his travel plans.

It’s rare to see the Pope travel for more than three or four days at a time, and there is often a long period of rest between global appearances.

There is also a team of medical professionals who work at the Vatican, and their primary responsibility is to monitor and manage the Pope’s physical well-being. Given Pope Francis’ recent run of health issues, this team of medical personnel has reportedly become even more vigilant in their care.

This proactive approach is crucial, not only for Pope Francis’ health but also for the Catholic Church to continue operating on a global level. The Vatican’s communications team has been very transparent about the Pope’s health concerns, which has done a lot to put some worries to rest.

By putting the truth out there as soon as possible, it leaves no room for misinformation or speculation, both of which could undermine the Church’s role in the world.

What Does the Future Look Like?

For thousands of years, the Catholic Church has flawlessly transitioned from one Pope to the next. It seems relatively unlikely that Pope Francis will resign, as only three Popes in history have done so, including Pope Benedict XVI, who Pope Francis succeeded. Instead, the Pope will likely hold his office until he passes.

Members of the Catholic Church can rest assured that there is already a plan in place for when that day comes. Pope Leo XIII is the oldest Pope in history, having died at the age of 93 in 1903.

Ideally, Pope Francis has more quality years ahead of him leading the Catholic Church into its next chapter. Billions of people around the globe are praying for him, his health, and his tenure as he continues to lead with dignity and honor.