On Monday, March 3, 2025, the Pope woke up feeling very tired. His head hurt, his throat was scratchy, and he could not stop coughing. He tried to get dressed for the day, but his legs felt weak. His helpers came to check on him and told him he should stay in bed. The Pope didn’t like missing his work, but he nodded quietly and lay back down.

On Tuesday, March 4, doctors came to the Vatican to see him. They listened to his chest and took his temperature. “You have a cold, maybe even the flu,” one doctor said gently. They gave him medicine and told him to drink warm tea and sleep as much as he could. The Pope thanked them with a soft voice. He was a little sad he could not go outside to wave to the people, but he knew he had to rest.

By Wednesday, March 5th, the news had spread around the world. People were worried and wanted to know if the Pope would be okay. Many families prayed for him. Children drew pictures of him smiling and sent kind letters that said things like, “We hope you feel better soon!” The Pope’s room became full of cards, flowers, and small gifts. He read a few each day and smiled, feeling a little bit better inside.

But as the days went on, the Pope’s illness got worse. By the end of that week, doctors discovered it wasn’t just a cold, it was double pneumonia, which meant both of his lungs were infected. He had trouble breathing, and his fever stayed high. The doctors worked hard to help him, but they told his helpers in quiet voices that the Pope was very sick. They were afraid he might not make it. For a few nights, he was so weak he could barely speak. People around the world continued to pray even harder.

From March 6 to March 22, the Pope stayed in bed, fighting the sickness. He was given strong medicine, and nurses cared for him every hour. Some days, he felt a little stronger, and some days he didn’t. The drawings and letters from children gave him hope, even when he didn’t feel well. He kept a few next to his bed, where he could see them when he opened his eyes.

On Saturday, March 8, the Pope’s cough became softer and his body felt stronger. He sat up in bed and looked out the window at the people below. They were waving and waiting. Slowly, he stood and walked to the window, and he smiled and gave a gentle wave. The crowd clapped and cheered. The Pope placed his hand on his heart to thank them. He still felt a little tired, but the love and care from others helped him heal.

By Monday, March 24, the Pope was finally well enough to walk through the garden and eat a full meal. His doctors smiled with relief, saying he had made it through the worst. The Pope thanked them and said he would never forget the kindness people showed him during those long, hard weeks. Though he was still resting, he felt full of peace and very thankful to be alive.