“Pope Francis experiences renewed health concerns with medical intervention kept private”
ROME (AP) — Pope Francis faced two new acute respiratory episodes on Monday and was placed back on noninvasive mechanical ventilation, marking another setback in his fight against pneumonia, according to the Vatican. Doctors performed two bronchoscopies to extract a significant amount of mucus from his lungs, utilizing a camera-equipped tube to clear fluid from his airways. The Vatican clarified that the mucus was a response to the earlier pneumonia infection and not indicative of a new bacterial infection as per laboratory tests.
Despite the challenges, Francis remained alert, oriented, and cooperative with medical staff. The prognosis was described as cautious, with doctors hinting that the crises had passed. These events marked a new hurdle in the ongoing battle for the 88-year-old pope, who suffers from chronic lung disease and underwent partial lung removal.
Dr. John Coleman, a pulmonary critical care specialist at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago, expressed greater concern over these episodes compared to the previous incident on Friday when Francis experienced a coughing fit and required ventilation briefly. The need for bronchoscopies indicated a significant presence of mucus and phlegm in the lungs, suggesting a difficulty in clearing secretions naturally.
The Vatican later disclosed that the respiratory issues were triggered by a substantial mucus buildup and bronchial spasms. The pope was placed back on noninvasive mechanical ventilation to aid his breathing. Despite ongoing respiratory physiotherapy efforts, the retention of secretions indicated a limitation in Francis’s ability to expel fluids due to weakened muscle tone.
While the Vatican has not shared recent visual updates on Francis’s condition since his hospitalization on February 14, concerns linger over the prolonged absence from public view during his papacy. Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, a close associate of the pope, expressed a desire for Francis’s voice to be heard, emphasizing the importance of his universal perspective amidst global challenges.
As Francis continues his recovery at Gemelli Polyclinic, the Vatican highlighted his concerns over the ineffectiveness of international bodies in addressing global threats. The pope’s message dated February 26 underscored the importance of transcending narrow interests for the collective well-being of humanity.
Non-invasive ventilation is often utilized to prevent the need for intubation or invasive mechanical ventilation. Throughout his current hospital stay, Francis has not required intubation, although it remains uncertain whether he has expressed any instructions regarding the extent of his medical care in the event that he becomes unconscious or declines further treatment.
In accordance with Catholic doctrine, the sanctity of life is upheld from its beginning at conception until its natural conclusion. The Church teaches that chronically ill individuals, even those in vegetative states, are entitled to receive “ordinary” care such as hydration and nutrition. However, it is considered permissible to withdraw “extraordinary” or disproportionate care if it no longer serves a beneficial purpose or merely serves to prolong a painful existence.
In a 2017 address to the bioethics commission led by Archbishop Paglia, Francis emphasized the ethical importance of not feeling obligated to pursue every possible medical intervention in all circumstances. He stressed the possibility of making morally grounded decisions, including the withdrawal of treatments deemed “overzealous.”
Archbishop Paglia, whose role involves clarifying the Catholic Church’s stance on end-of-life issues, affirmed that Francis, like any other practicing Catholic, would adhere to the teachings of the Church should such considerations arise. He highlighted the pope’s current hospitalization as a profound lesson on human frailty, underscoring the collective responsibility to care for one another, particularly the elderly who are inherently vulnerable.
Francis’ 17-night hospital stay does not approach the record held by St. John Paul II, who endured multiple lengthy hospitalizations spanning over a quarter-century. The longest single hospitalization for John Paul occurred in 1981 when he spent 55 days at Gemelli hospital following a minor surgery and subsequent prolonged infection.
Carla K. Johnson, an Associated Press writer based in Washington state, contributed to this report. The AP’s coverage of religious matters is supported by a collaboration with The Conversation US, funded by the Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP assumes full responsibility for the accuracy and content of this publication.
