- Connor Power from Brisbane, Australia, prays in St. Peter's square at the Vatican early Friday, April 1, 2005, for the health of Pope John Paul II. (AP Photo/,

But it doesn't come close to approaching the record-long stays of St. John Paul II during his quarter-century pontificate. John Paul spent so much time on the 10th floor papal suite that he referred to Gemelli as “Vatican III” — a reference that beyond the primary seat of the papacy in Vatican City,

People walk past a window reflecting a statue of Pope John Paul II in front of the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic, in Rome, Sunday, March 9, 2025, where Pope Francis is

A woman prays in front of the statue of Pope John Paul II outside the Agostino Gemelli where Pope Francis is hospitalised in Rome, Friday, March 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio

Having spent three weeks in the hospital for treatment of double pneumonia, Pope Francis continues to be in stable condition and is responding well to his various treatments, as well breathing and mobility therapy.

Just as Popes John Paul II’s and Benedict’s final days revealed their understandings of the papacy, Francis’ illness has revealed him once again as the world’s parish priest, suffering close to his people.

Like St. John Paul II, Pope Francis knows the “cross of Christ is never abandoned” and that everything is in God’s hands, said Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz, who was the late pope’s personal secretary for 39 years.

Pope Francis is resting after sleeping through the night with a ventilation mask as he undergoes hospital treatment for double pneumonia.

ROME (AP) — A weak and breathless Pope Francis thanked people for their prayers for his recovery in a remarkable audio message broadcast Thursday, the first public sign of life from the 88-year-old pope since he was hospitalized three weeks ago with double pneumonia.

The recorded message was the first released by the Vatican since Pope Francis was hospitalized with a respiratory illness on Feb. 14.