FACT CHECK: Pope Francis is still alive as of February 24

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On Monday, February 24, the Vatican said Pope Francis had a ‘good’ night in hospital where he continues to receive treatment for double pneumonia

Claim: Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, passed away on February 24, 2025, at the age of 88.

Rating: FALSE

Why we fact-checked this: The TikTok video containing the claim has over 1 million views, 33,800 likes, 3,300 shares, and 2,502 comments as of writing.

Text in the video states: “RIP [Rest in peace] Papa Francesco” along with the date February 24, 2025, which has led some social media users to believe the claim is true. 

Comments include “RIP Pope Francis” and messages of condolences.

The facts: As of Monday, February 24, Pope Francis remains hospitalized at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, undergoing treatment for double pneumonia. The Vatican described his condition as critical for a second day on February 23. The Vatican said the pope had a “good” night, was able to sleep, and is currently resting. 

According to the latest medical update, the prognosis for the pope remains “guarded.” The Vatican said Francis had received blood transfusions and that he had an “initial, slight insufficiency” in his kidney function.

The TikTok post in question simply features a photo of Pope Francis with the superimposed text claiming his death but offers no credible evidence or verifiable sources to support this claim.

Pope Francis’ condition: Pope Francis was admitted to Gemelli Hospital on February 14 after struggling to speak due to breathing difficulties. He later suffered a “prolonged asthma-like respiratory crisis” that worsened into double pneumonia, a severe infection affecting both lungs. The Vatican described the illness as “complex,” caused by multiple microorganisms. (TIMELINE: Pope Francis in Gemelli Hospital, February 2025)

During his hospitalization, the Pope received the Eucharist, communicated with medical staff, and sent written messages for the usual Sunday prayer in St. Peter’s Square, which he has been unable to personally lead for two consecutive weeks. 

In a message for the Sunday Angelus, he said he is “confidently continuing” treatment and called for prayers for global peace. – Marjuice Destinado/Rappler.com

Marjuice Destinado is a Rappler intern. She is a third-year political science student at Cebu Normal University (CNU), serving as feature editor of Ang Suga, CNU’s official student publication.

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