Pope Francis' Doctor Reveals Pontiff’s Near-Death Experience During Hospitalisation

Rome, March 25, 2025 – Pope Francis nearly died during his 38-day hospitalisation at Gemelli Hospital in Rome, according to Dr. Sergio Alfieri, the lead surgeon who oversaw his treatment. In an exclusive interview with the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, Dr. Alfieri revealed that the pontiff’s life was at serious risk on two occasions during his treatment.

The first occurred on February 28, when Pope Francis suffered a severe bronchospasm, struggling to breathe. Dr. Alfieri recounted the severity of the Holy Father's condition when he suffered this episode.

“For the first time, I saw tears in the eyes of those around him—people who truly love him like a father,” Alfieri said. “We had to decide whether to let him go or to attempt every possible medical intervention, knowing the risks to his kidneys and spinal cord. In the end, we chose to fight.” Fortunately, the Pope’s body responded positively to treatment, and the lung infection subsided over time.

However, just as his health seemed to improve, another crisis struck. While eating, Pope Francis regurgitated and aspirated food into his lungs, an incident that, if not immediately addressed, could have resulted in sudden death or severe lung complications. “It was a terrible moment; we truly thought we might lose him,” Alfieri admitted. However, the medical team acted swiftly, and once again, the Pope overcame the crisis.

Dr. Alfieri mentioned that throughout his hospitalisation, Pope Francis remained cooperative and even maintained his characteristic humour. He recalled greeting the Pope one morning saying, “Good morning, Holy Father” to which the pontiff replied with a smile, saying, “Good morning, Holy Son.”

After 38 days at Gemelli Hospital, Pope Francis was discharged on March 23, 2025. His doctors have advised him to observe two months of convalescence, avoiding large crowds and close interactions with children to prevent infections. “We discussed it and promised not to waste the effort we had made,” Alfieri said. 

Dr. Alfeiri emphasized the Pope’s resilience while undergoing treatment. He credited both his physical strength and the power of global prayers for his recovery. “Scientific research suggests that prayer provides strength to the sick. In this case, the whole world prayed for him.”

Reflecting on Pope Francis’ discharge from the hospital, Dr. Alfieri described the moment as deeply emotional. “Seeing him dressed in white, stepping out of his room on the tenth floor of Gemelli—it was the emotion of witnessing the man become Pope again.”

By Catholic Connect Reporter