According to Vatican sources, Pope Francis enjoyed his usual morning routine of having breakfast, sipping on coffee, and perusing the newspapers on Saturday. This came after he experienced a sudden bout of respiratory difficulty the day before, necessitating the use of high-flow oxygen through a mask to aid his breathing. Thankfully, Francis had a calm night following the incident, with no further complications and no fever reported. He has also been able to consume solid foods, but his medical condition remains intricate, and he is still being closely monitored as he is not yet considered out of danger.
The incident on Friday, involving breathing challenges coupled with vomiting, resulted in some of the pope’s aspirating the vomit, as disclosed by the Vatican. Medical professionals promptly addressed this issue before administering oxygen through a mask. Notably, Francis is not on a ventilator, confirmed by a Vatican source in communication with CNN.
In the most recent health update released by the Holy See Press Office on Saturday morning local time, it was affirmed that the pope had a peaceful night and is currently resting. The Vatican further stated that his condition is stable, with no fever detected. Francis continues to be self-sufficient in feeding himself and is receiving respiratory therapy. Despite his hospitalization, it was highlighted that he remains in good spirits, able to move and walk with some assistance. Additionally, the pope spent around 20 minutes in prayer at the hospital chapel.
This hospitalization marks Pope Francis’s fourth and longest stay at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital since assuming the papacy in 2013. Over the past weeks, he has faced a series of lung-related health challenges, including bronchitis and pneumonia, prompting his admission. His lung troubles have been a long-standing issue, tracing back to his youth when he underwent lung surgery for severe pneumonia.
The Vatican has been diligent in providing regular updates on the pope’s health status twice daily. Due to his intensive medical care, the leader’s agenda has been cleared to prioritize his treatment. Consequently, he will not be leading the Angelus prayer for the third consecutive week on Sunday, nor will he preside over the upcoming Ash Wednesday service, a departure from his usual practice during his papacy. Instead, a cardinal will take on this ceremonial role.
During a prayer session for the pope on Friday night, Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernández of Argentina emphasized the need for prayers not just for Francis but also for all individuals around the world facing challenges such as war, illness, and poverty during these trying times.
This account has been revised with contributions from CNN journalists Antonia Mortensen and Barbie Latza Nadeau. To stay updated on more news and newsletters from CNN, you can register on CNN.com.
