Pope Francis's health struggles and his death on Easter Monday 2025

Key momentsthe most covered; every story is below

Who covered it, over timeindependent sources per week, by side

LeftCenterRight

Point at or tap a week to see its count by side.

Stories before June 28, 2026 come from archived pages, so who covered them is limited to the outlets we recovered for that period.

22% left · 68% center · 10% right of 372 independent sources among the outlets we track, across 86 stories.

Every storyoldest first

1. March 2023

   Mar 29Vatican: Pope Francis goes to hospital for scheduled tests18 articles · 11 independent sources

   2 left, 2 center, 2 right
2. Mar 29– 31Pope Francis could leave Rome hospital 'in a few days' after viral bronchitis treatment165 articles · 78 independent sources

   18 left, 30 center, 8 right
3. Mar 31Vatican: Pope to leave hospital on Saturday, eats pizza30 articles · 13 independent sources

   2 left, 2 center, 1 right
4. Mar 31– Apr 1Pope Francis leaves hospital; 'Still alive,' he quips102 articles · 55 independent sources

   7 left, 15 center, 4 right
5. Mar 31– Apr 2Pope Francis attends Palm Sunday service after hospital stay43 articles · 26 independent sources

   4 left, 7 center, 2 right

6. May 2023

   May 26Pope Francis runs fever, skips meetings, Vatican says28 articles · 19 independent sources

   1 left, 9 center, 1 right

7. June 2023

   Jun 6Pope in hospital for check-up: Italian media5 articles · 4 independent sources

   0 left, 2 center, 1 right
8. Jun 6Pope briefly at hospital for tests two months after bronchitis, returns to Vatican11 articles · 6 independent sources

   0 left, 3 center, 2 right
9. Jun 7– 9Pope Francis in ‘good general condition’ after surgery180 articles · 64 independent sources

   12 left, 28 center, 8 right
10. Jun 10– 11Pope Francis takes doctors’ advice to skip Sunday public blessing as he recovers from major surgery39 articles · 19 independent sources

    3 left, 5 center, 2 right
11. Jun 14– 16Pope Francis leaves Rome hospital 9 days after surgery64 articles · 36 independent sources

    7 left, 14 center, 3 right
12. Jun 14– 19Pope Francis, back to Vatican routine post-surgery, says thanks to shouts of ‘Long live the pope!’19 articles · 15 independent sources

    4 left, 7 center, 0 right

13. November 2023

    Nov 25Pope Francis has hospital checkup after coming down with flu16 articles · 9 independent sources

    2 left, 2 center, 1 right
14. Nov 26– 27Pope Francis battling lung inflammation on intravenous antibiotics but Vatican says his condition is "good"20 articles · 16 independent sources

    4 left, 6 center, 3 right
15. Nov 27Pope Francis getting antibiotics intravenously for lung problem, limiting appointments, Vatican says8 articles · 8 independent sources

    1 left, 2 center, 0 right
16. Nov 30Pope says he has acute bronchitis, doctors recommended against travel to avoid change in temperature7 articles · 7 independent sources

    2 left, 2 center, 1 right

17. December 2023

    Dec 13Pope Francis says he wants to be buried in the Rome basilica, not in the Vatican16 articles · 12 independent sources

    3 left, 1 center, 4 right

18. February 2024

    Feb 24– 26Pope Francis cancels Monday morning engagements due to mild flu symptoms, Vatican says13 articles · 11 independent sources

    3 left, 5 center, 3 right
19. Feb 28Pope Francis is taken briefly to a Rome hospital for tests after his weekly audience19 articles · 17 independent sources

    4 left, 5 center, 3 right

20. March 2024

    Mar 29– 30Pope Francis skips Good Friday event at last minute ‘to preserve health’ for Easter rituals20 articles · 20 independent sources

    0 left, 5 center, 3 right

21. February 2025

    Feb 14– 16Pope Francis hospitalized for bronchitis treatment, Vatican says71 articles · 45 independent sources

    7 left, 20 center, 5 right
22. Feb 15– 21Pope marks a week in hospital with pneumonia as the obvious question is asked: Might he resign?25 articles · 17 independent sources

    3 left, 9 center, 2 right
23. Feb 17– 19Pope Francis has pneumonia in both lungs as tests show ‘complex picture,’ Vatican says115 articles · 52 independent sources

    13 left, 24 center, 5 right
24. Feb 18– 22Vatican says Pope Francis is in critical condition, suffered asthmatic crisis97 articles · 49 independent sources

    9 left, 8 center, 2 right
25. Feb 19Italian Premier Meloni visits Pope Francis in hospital and says he’s in good spirits - Boston News, Weather, Sports7 articles · 6 independent sources

    2 left, 2 center, 1 right
26. Feb 19– 20Pope Francis is sitting up out of bed at hospital as he recovers from pneumonia30 articles · 14 independent sources

    1 left, 6 center, 4 right
27. Feb 21Medical team says Pope Francis isn't out of danger but his condition isn't life-threatening23 articles · 21 independent sources

    4 left, 7 center, 3 right
28. Feb 21– 25North Texas Catholics continue to pray for Pope Francis who remains hospitalized10 articles · 6 independent sources

    2 left, 4 center, 0 right
29. Feb 23– 25Pope is resting on 10th day of hospitalization after early stages of kidney failure detected88 articles · 46 independent sources

    7 left, 20 center, 5 right
30. Feb 23– Mar 1Pope Francis spends peaceful night after breathing crisis, Vatican says18 articles · 13 independent sources

    4 left, 3 center, 3 right
31. Feb 23– 25Pope Francis 'rested well, all night long' in hospital, Vatican says30 articles · 18 independent sources

    3 left, 9 center, 2 right
32. Feb 23– Mar 2Pope Francis is in stable condition but ‘risk of crisis’ remains, Vatican sources say43 articles · 26 independent sources

    9 left, 10 center, 4 right
33. Feb 23Pope is conscious, receiving supplemental oxygen, had a peaceful night following respiratory crisis14 articles · 7 independent sources

    0 left, 3 center, 0 right
34. Feb 24– 26Pope Francis health: Vatican issues Wednesday evening update17 articles · 14 independent sources

    5 left, 5 center, 2 right
35. Feb 25Pope Francis continues recovery as Vatican launches marathon prayers and allies cheer him on8 articles · 4 independent sources

    0 left, 3 center, 0 right
36. Feb 26Pope Francis sits upright in an armchair as Argentines in Rome pray for his recovery9 articles · 6 independent sources

    1 left, 2 center, 0 right
37. Feb 28– Mar 1Pope had coughing fit, inhaled vomit and now requires assisted ventilation, Vatican says45 articles · 25 independent sources

    5 left, 10 center, 2 right
38. Feb 28– Mar 5Pope Francis stable after respiratory crisis, but prognosis remains reserved124 articles · 50 independent sources

    8 left, 24 center, 6 right

39. March 2025

    Mar 1– 8Francis rests in hospital as Holy Year marches on without him, this weekend dedicated to volunteers46 articles · 28 independent sources

    6 left, 12 center, 5 right
40. Mar 3Pope Francis 'rested well' overnight, Vatican says7 articles · 4 independent sources

    0 left, 2 center, 2 right
41. Mar 5– 9Pope Francis responding well to pneumonia therapy and showing 'gradual, slight improvement'31 articles · 25 independent sources

    5 left, 8 center, 2 right
42. Mar 5The pope has increased his physical activity and celebrated the start of Lent, Vatican says11 articles · 4 independent sources

    0 left, 3 center, 0 right
43. Mar 6– 7Pope Francis thanks well-wishers in first audio message since hospitalization22 articles · 17 independent sources

    2 left, 5 center, 4 right
44. Mar 8In his own words: Pope Francis' views on resigning changed over time3 articles · 3 independent sources

    0 left, 2 center, 0 right
45. Mar 9Pope thanks volunteers for 'miracle of tenderness' as another Holy Year event passes without him - The Daily Reporter14 articles · 10 independent sources

    0 left, 4 center, 2 right
46. Mar 10– 11Doctors give Pope Francis good news that he's no longer in imminent danger from pneumonia48 articles · 34 independent sources

    4 left, 10 center, 4 right
47. Mar 12Chest X-ray confirms improvements in Pope Francis' condition, Vatican says8 articles · 7 independent sources

    1 left, 5 center, 0 right
48. Mar 13Pope Francis marks the 12th anniversary of his papacy hospitalized but with his condition improving15 articles · 11 independent sources

    2 left, 5 center, 1 right
49. Mar 15Pope works on signature reform from hospital as he recovers from pneumonia8 articles · 7 independent sources

    2 left, 3 center, 0 right
50. Mar 16– 17Vatican releases 1st photo of Pope Francis since hospitalization39 articles · 21 independent sources

    1 left, 10 center, 3 right
51. Mar 19– 20Vatican says Pope Francis no longer needs mechanical help to breathe as his health improves19 articles · 11 independent sources

    1 left, 2 center, 2 right
52. Mar 22– 23Pope Francis makes his first public appearance and is discharged from the hospital16 articles · 15 independent sources

    3 left, 8 center, 1 right
53. Mar 22– 24Pope Francis returns to Vatican after 5-week hospital stay for life-threatening double pneumonia118 articles · 58 independent sources

    15 left, 22 center, 7 right
54. Mar 25Doctor treating Pope Francis says team considered ending treatment so he could die29 articles · 24 independent sources

    2 left, 6 center, 4 right
55. Mar 29Doctor cites the pope's 'surprising improvement' after surviving life-threatening crises7 articles · 7 independent sources

    1 left, 0 center, 3 right

56. April 2025

    Apr 6Pope makes surprise appearance at St. Peter's Square, 2 weeks after leaving hospital36 articles · 24 independent sources

    2 left, 7 center, 2 right
57. Apr 9– 10Pope Francis meets privately with King Charles and Queen Camilla during his Vatican convalescence14 articles · 9 independent sources

    2 left, 5 center, 0 right
58. Apr 13Pope Francis greets crowds as he makes brief appearance after Palm Sunday service5 articles · 5 independent sources

    0 left, 2 center, 2 right
59. Apr 13Convalescing Pope Francis opens Holy Week with in-person greeting in St. Peter's Square17 articles · 13 independent sources

    0 left, 3 center, 1 right
60. Apr 17– 21Pope Francis makes Easter appearance at the Vatican30 articles · 21 independent sources

    4 left, 11 center, 2 right
61. Apr 17A recovering Pope Francis visits Rome prison to keep annual Holy Week appointment8 articles · 8 independent sources

    3 left, 1 center, 1 right
62. Apr 18– 21One of Pope Francis' last meetings was with Vice President JD Vance. Here's what they talked about.57 articles · 32 independent sources

    4 left, 11 center, 11 right
63. Apr 20Pope Francis appears on Easter Sunday to cheers as he recovers from pneumonia7 articles · 5 independent sources

    0 left, 2 center, 2 right
64. Apr 21– 22Flags ordered to half-staff in honor of Pope Francis11 articles · 10 independent sources

    1 left, 3 center, 6 right
65. Apr 21Pope Francis’ burial plans differ drastically from his predecessors’12 articles · 6 independent sources

    1 left, 1 center, 3 right
66. Apr 21– 23Pope Francis' body moved to St. Peter's Basilica for public viewing23 articles · 15 independent sources

    1 left, 5 center, 3 right
67. Apr 21– 22Pope Francis dies at 88214 articles · 114 independent sources

    23 left, 27 center, 19 right
68. Apr 21– 22Pope Francis converted to the environmental cause and denounced those he blamed for climate change10 articles · 10 independent sources

    4 left, 2 center, 1 right
69. Apr 21Pope Francis’ cause of death revealed by the Vatican15 articles · 13 independent sources

    1 left, 4 center, 5 right
70. Apr 21Tributes from world leaders pour in after Pope Francis' death17 articles · 9 independent sources

    0 left, 4 center, 0 right
71. Apr 21Here's where Pope Francis will be buried15 articles · 9 independent sources

    1 left, 4 center, 2 right
72. Apr 21Pope Francis: share your tributes and memories6 articles · 3 independent sources

    1 left, 1 center, 0 right
73. Apr 21Pope Francis, voice for the poor who transformed the Catholic Church, dies on Easter Monday9 articles · 6 independent sources

    0 left, 3 center, 0 right
74. Apr 21Canonization of first millennial saint, Carlo Acutis, postponed after Pope Francis death5 articles · 5 independent sources

    0 left, 3 center, 1 right
75. Apr 22Pope Francis worried about greeting crowd in St. Peter's Square but was thankful he did, report says11 articles · 9 independent sources

    0 left, 4 center, 0 right
76. Apr 22Pope Francis' body to lie in state before funeral on Saturday14 articles · 14 independent sources

    0 left, 2 center, 1 right
77. Apr 22– 25Catholic faithful pay their final respects to Pope Francis as public viewing begins14 articles · 11 independent sources

    0 left, 8 center, 0 right
78. Apr 22– 25When will Pope Francis' coffin be sealed? Public viewing ends, burial next18 articles · 10 independent sources

    0 left, 4 center, 2 right
79. Apr 22– 24How to watch Pope Francis' funeral75 articles · 44 independent sources

    6 left, 13 center, 7 right
80. Apr 22– 25Trump and Zelenskyy among dignitaries converging on Rome for funeral of Pope Francis32 articles · 19 independent sources

    2 left, 4 center, 4 right
81. Apr 22– 27Crowds line up to visit Pope Francis’ tomb in Rome as his last resting place opens to the public124 articles · 54 independent sources

    12 left, 23 center, 6 right
82. Apr 23St. Peter's Basilica opens to the public to pay their respects to Pope Francis before his funeral10 articles · 5 independent sources

    0 left, 3 center, 0 right
83. Apr 24Vatican keeps St. Peter's open all night as tens of thousands come to view Pope Francis11 articles · 8 independent sources

    2 left, 2 center, 1 right
84. Apr 26Mighty and meek attend Pope Francis' funeral10 articles · 8 independent sources

    1 left, 5 center, 0 right
85. Apr 26Pope Francis remembered as 'pope among the people' in funeral homily13 articles · 3 independent sources

    1 left, 2 center, 0 right
86. Apr 26American Kielce Gussie does 1st reading at Pope Francis' funeral10 articles · 5 independent sources

    0 left, 3 center, 1 right