For centuries, discussing a pope’s health was considered a near-sacrilegious topic within the Vatican.
As the spiritual leader of 1.4 billion Catholics,
a pope was viewed as a divine figure whose physical condition remained shrouded in mystery.
However, Pope Francis is changing that narrative.
Since being hospitalized with double pneumonia at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on February 14, the Vatican has taken an unprecedented step
providing daily medical updates about the 87-year-old pontiff’s condition.
Furthermore,these reports have detailed everything
from his use of high-flow oxygen and blood transfusions to a severe asthma-like respiratory crisis on February 22.
A Pope who chooses transparency
Moreover, Veteran Vatican journalist Greg Erlandson has praised the move.
Saying the frequent updates build trust and offer a clearer picture of the pope’s health.
John Thavis, who has covered three papacies, noted that this openness aligns with Francis’ communication style but represents a stark departure from Vatican tradition.
Reports suggest that Pope Francis himself ordered the transparency.
Dr. Sergio Alfieri, one of the pope’s physicians, confirmed that the pontiff instructed them to provide updates “without withholding anything.”
Sources close to the pope also revealed that he personally helped draft the first few updates and encouraged his medical team to be more specific in their reports.
Francis’ decision to be forthcoming may have been driven by misinformation.
Within hours of his hospitalization, social media buzzed with false claims, including rumours of his death and AI-generated images depicting him on life support.
By taking control of the narrative, the Vatican is ensuring truth prevails over speculation.
Jesuit priest and papal commentator Tom Reese remarked,
“The Vatican has finally learned that it is better to be forthcoming than to let conspiracy theorists fill the void.”
This marks a significant shift from past papacies.
Pope John Paul II visibly suffered from tremors for years before the Vatican confirmed his Parkinson’s diagnosis in 2003.
Pope John XXIII’s stomach cancer was only revealed months after his death in 1963.
Historian Christopher Bellitto summed it up best:
“The old saying was that a pope is never sick until he’s dead. That’s changed.”
