Pope Francis Marks 12th Anniversary as Pontiff from Hospital

Pope Francis marked the 12th anniversary of his papacy on March 13th, 2025 from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital where he is recovering from double pneumonia. Despite his health struggles, the 88-year-old pope remains a symbol of resilience and faith for 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide.

Details & Context

- Health Update: According to the latest Vatican bulletins, Pope Francis condition is improving and he is no longer in immediate danger, although the exact date of his discharge remains uncertain.

- Hospitalisation: The pope was admitted on February 14th, 2025. His extended hospital stay has added a reflective tone to the anniversary celebrations.

Quotes

Cardinal Michael Czerny a senior Vatican official close to the pope described the anniversary as

| “A reason for gratitude. This year, his illness makes us especially aware of the milestone and doubly grateful to God.”

David Gibson, a US scholar and expert on the papacy, remarked

| “Francis has redefined what it means to be a pope — a compassionate leader who embraces all and judges none.”

Additional Information

- Papal Journey: Pope Francis born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina became the first pope from the Americas when he was elected on March 13th, 2013.

- Achievements: Over the past 12 years, he has,

- Reorganised the Vatican’s administration.

- Authored four major teaching documents.

- Undertaken 47 foreign trips to over 65 countries.

- Canonised 900+ saints.

- Modern Reforms: Francis has taken bold steps to modernise the Church, including,

- Allowing same-sex couple blessings (on a case-by-case basis).

- Appointing women to Vatican leadership roles for the first time.

- Holding five global Catholic summits to address controversial issues like women’s ordination and sexuality.

Impact Analysis

Despite his progressive stance, Pope Francis has faced backlash

- Conservative Cardinals: Some senior members of the Church accuse him of diluting traditional teachings on marriage and divorce.

- Abuse Survivors: While he established the first papal commission on clergy abuse, critics argue it lacks impact and demand zero-tolerance policies.

Yet, Francis remains focused on global issues, advocating for,

- Immigrants’ rights.

- Climate change action.

- World peace.

As Pope Francis enters his 13th year as pontiff, all eyes are on his health and future plans. While rumours of resignation circulate, his supporters insist he has no intention to step down. With the upcoming Catholic Holy Year 2025 - expecting 32 million pilgrims - and a planned trip to Turkiye for the 1,700th anniversary of the Nicaea council, his leadership remains steadfast.

Call to Action (CTA)

Stay updated with the latest news on Pope Francis health and his journey ahead. Follow The Daily Hints for exclusive stories and global insights.

Share this article on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram using trending hashtags,

#PopeFrancis #12YearsOfFrancis #VaticanNews #CatholicChurch #TheDailyHints