Rome residents 'hope for the best' for hospitalized Pope Francisbr br People outside Rome's Gemelli hospital offer their well-wishes to Pope Francis, who has been a patient at the facility since last week. "I hope for the best," says medical student Silvia Roda. The 88-year-old pontiff was admitted with bronchitis after suffering breathing difficulties and the Vatican has since revealed that he has developed pneumonia in both lungs. "He has so much to do for young people," says Annamaria Santoro, "it's very sad.