Vatican City – The Vatican has disclosed that Pope Francis is in critical condition as he battles with double pneumonia. According to the Vatican, the Pope had a peaceful night, remained alert, and rested after enduring a respiratory crisis and receiving blood transfusions. Pope Francis was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital on February 14 after struggling to breathe for several days, leading to the diagnosis of pneumonia in both lungs.
On Saturday, the Vatican announced for the first time that the 88-year-old Pope’s condition was critical, revealing that he required supplementary oxygen and blood transfusions following an extended respiratory crisis resembling asthma. A Vatican official, who chose to remain anonymous due to a lack of authorization to discuss the Pope’s health, mentioned that Pope Francis was awake and alert on Sunday. The Pope was receiving necessary oxygen through a small tube under his nose, but he was breathing unassisted.
Further updates on the Pope’s health are expected after clinical examinations later in the day. In a written message for his usual Sunday prayer in St. Peter’s Square, which he could not conduct for the second consecutive week, Pope Francis expressed confidence in his ongoing treatment at the hospital. He extended gratitude to his medical team and those who have sent supportive messages.
During a Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica on Sunday morning, Archbishop Rino Fisichella urged attendees to intensify their prayers for Pope Francis. The Diocese of Rome announced a special evening Mass to pray for the Pope’s strength during this challenging time.
Double pneumonia is a severe infection affecting both lungs, causing inflammation and scarring that impairs breathing. The Vatican characterized the Pope’s infection as complex, involving two or more microorganisms. Pope Francis, who has been in office since 2013, has faced health issues over the past two years, particularly respiratory infections due to his history of pleurisy and partial lung removal.
Near the Vatican, pilgrims expressed concern about the Pope’s health on Sunday morning. Prayers were offered for his recovery as groups gathered near Gemelli hospital to show support. People left flowers, notes, and lit candles at the memorial of the late Pope John Paul II at the hospital, where they prayed for Pope Francis.
In a statement on Saturday, the Vatican revealed that the Pope’s respiratory crisis required high-flow oxygen therapy and blood transfusions due to a low platelet count, associated with anemia. Platelets are blood cell fragments that aid in clot formation to control bleeding. The Pope’s doctors emphasized his vulnerability due to age and general health during a briefing on Friday.
Frailty was evident in the patient’s condition as noted by Dr. Sergio Alfieri, a distinguished member of the Gemelli medical team. He expressed concern that the lung infection had the potential to spread to the bloodstream, leading to the development of sepsis, a serious complication that could prove challenging to overcome. This insight was shared by journalists Joshua McElwee and Crispian Balmer, with additional contributions from Claudia Chieppa. The editorial touches were provided by David Goodman, William Maclean, and Tomasz Janowski.
