FACT CHECK: No, Pope Francis Has Not Been Discharged From The Hospital

A video shared on Facebook claims Pope Francis has purportedly been discharged from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital.

Verdict: False

In a March 11 update shared on their website, Vatican News confirmed Pope Francis has remained hospitalized since Feb. 14.

Fact Check:

Pope Francis thanked the medical staff caring for him at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital for their “thoughtfulness of service and the tenderness of care,” according to BBC News. The Pope also said those who care for the sick are “a sign of the Lord’s presence,” the outlet reported.

The Facebook video claims Pope Francis has purportedly been discharged from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital. “BREAKING NEWS! Pope Francis has been discharged from hospital, glory to God Almighty,” the video’s caption reads. In the video, Pope Francis can be seen walking with a cane amid applause from a large crowd of people.

The claim is false. The video is from August 2024 and predates Pope Francis’ recent hospitalization. The video, which has been uploaded to YouTube by Vatican News, shows Pope Francis having a general audience from Paul VI Hall.

Likewise, in a March 11 update shared on their website, Vatican News confirmed Pope Francis has remained hospitalized since Feb. 14. “Pope Francis’ clinical situation remains stable with doctors confirming slight improvements within a context that nevertheless remains complex,” the update reads. According to the same update, the pontiff has continued high-flow oxygenation therapy.

In a March 12 update shared to their verified X account, Vatican News said “The Pope had a restful night,” confirming he is still hospitalized. There does not appear to be a press release or social media statement from Vatican News commenting on the claim made via the Facebook video, however.

Additionally, Check Your Fact did not find any credible news reports to support the claim. In fact, the opposite is true. On March 11, AFP debunked the claim, indicating the video showed Pope Francis’ general audience from Paul VI Hall in August 2024. (RELATED: Were 14 Books Removed From The Bible In 1684?)

This is not the first time a false claim about Pope Francis has circulated online. Check Your Fact previously debunked a Facebook post claiming Pope Francis had died as of Feb. 23.