LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Pope Francis, 88, remains in critical condition but according to the Vatican is showing “slight improvement.”

Francis has been in the hospital since Feb. 14, getting treatment for pneumonia in both of his lungs.

What You Need To Know

  •  Pope Francis has been hospitalized with pneumonia since Feb. 14

  •  Fr. Jim Sichko of Lexington met with Pope Francis three weeks ago 

  •  Sichko was appointed by Pope Francis to be a papal missionary of mercy
  • Sichko decsribed the Pope as being "quite alive" and mentally strong

Father Jim Sichko is a papal missionary of mercy based in Lexington. He’s one of 100 in the U.S. Pope Francis established the Missionaries of Mercy in 2015. A papal missionary of mercy is appointed by the Pope to forgive sins, preach mercy and lead missions.

When Spectrum News spoke with Sichko, he was in Kansas, but three weeks ago he was in Rome meeting with Pope Francis at the Vatican. He brought the pontiff an autographed Kentucky Wildcats basketball jersey.

“He was quite alive. He always has been mentally strong. One time I asked him ‘You know, how are you doing?’ and I know people have asked him, ‘You know, how do you function?’ He said, ‘You know, even though my legs don’t work the last time I checked, it takes a brain and a heart to run a church.’ And that is a powerful response,” Sichko said. 

Father Jim said the catholic population of Kentucky varies by location, making the state a prime missionary spot.

“We are right in the heart of the message of the gospel and the message of what Pope Francis speaks about. And so … he knows well of Kentucky. I’ve brought him many things from Kentucky,” said Sichko. 

Sichko praises Pope Francis and his impact on the Catholic church.

“Pope Francis has really brought a human aspect to an office that sometimes seems very distant to people. We all can do something. We all can send positive thoughts [and] prayers. We can all continue the message of what Pope Francis has instilled. He’s alive. Though he may be sick, he is very much alive…We can all do some work today. Maybe some of us, all of us, can do at least one good deed today in thanksgiving for his efforts of trying to get well and to live on that message of being kind and merciful to one another,” said Sichko. 

Doctors have warned that the main threat facing Pope Francis is sepsis, a serious infection that can occur as a complication of pneumonia. So far, the Vatican has not mentioned sepsis in the medical updates it provides.

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