Concerns over Pope Francis’ health have intensified as reports emerge that the Swiss Guard is allegedly rehearsing his funeral preparations amid his ongoing battle with pneumonia.
According to Swiss newspaper Blick, members of the Swiss Guard—the elite security force responsible for protecting the Pope—are under a curfew as they “prepare for the pontiff’s death.”
The 88-year-old Pope had previously stated that he had “already prepared” his tomb, signaling that his final resting place and coffin would break with Vatican tradition.
The alarm over the Pope’s condition follows his hospitalization at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital last Friday after experiencing severe chest pain.
Reports indicate that he had resisted medical attention for days before finally being admitted.
Doctors diagnosed the Pope with a “complex” respiratory infection, later confirmed to be pneumonia, compounded by asthmatic bronchitis. The Vatican announced that his treatment includes cortisone and antibiotic therapy.
“Laboratory tests, chest X-ray, and the Holy Father’s clinical condition continue to present a complex picture,” the Vatican stated, noting that his condition is particularly concerning due to a previous lung removal surgery.
On Monday, doctors diagnosed the Pope with a polymicrobial respiratory tract infection, meaning multiple pathogens, including bacteria and viruses, have affected his lungs, resulting in double pneumonia.
While the Vatican has refrained from providing details on his response to treatment, medical experts remain cautious.
Dr. Carmelo D’Asero, an infectious disease specialist in Rome, noted that the Pope’s lack of fever may not necessarily be a positive sign.
“A high fever is a sign of an immune response to a pathogen. Having a low fever with a serious bronchial infection suggests a weakened immune system, which is more concerning,” D’Asero explained.
Two individuals close to the Pope have reportedly told Politico that Francis himself admitted, “I might not make it this time.”
As uncertainty looms, concerned Catholics have gathered outside Gemelli Hospital, offering prayers for the ailing Pope. Italian Cardinal Angelo Comastri, 81, told Rai news that Pope Francis remains “very calm,” adding, “His helm is in the hands of the Lord.”
The Vatican has not disclosed how long Francis will remain hospitalized, only stating that his “complex clinical picture” requires an “adequate” stay with multiple adjustments to his treatment regimen.
With no clear timeline for his recovery, speculation surrounding the Vatican’s next steps—including the possibility of preparing for a papal transition—continues to grow.