Pope Francis, who has been hospitalized for over a week, is currently in a "critical" condition after developing an “asthmatic respiratory crisis” earlier on Saturday, according to a statement from the Vatican.
The Vatican revealed that on Saturday morning, Pope Francis experienced an asthmatic respiratory crisis of prolonged magnitude, necessitating the application of high-flow oxygen. The ailing pontiff is undergoing treatment for pneumonia.
Despite being alert and spending his day in an armchair, the Pope is reportedly "in more pain than yesterday." He received blood transfusions to address anemia, according to the statement.
Earlier, the Vatican confirmed that Pope Francis would remain hospitalized due to his pneumonia diagnosis. Notably, he will not deliver the weekly Angelus prayer for only the third time in his nearly 12-year-long papacy.
The Pope "slept well" overnight at the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome, as per the Vatican press office. However, the duration of his medical treatment remains uncertain.
Pope Francis is not at risk of "immediate death," stated Sergio Alfieri, a surgeon who previously operated on the Pope, during a press conference on Friday. "Is the Pope out of danger? No. Both doors are open. Is he at risk of immediate death? No. The therapy needs time to work," Alfieri elaborated.
Responding positively to medical treatment for pneumonia, the pontiff is expected to stay hospitalized "at least all of next week," according to Alfieri. Luigi Carbone, a lead doctor at the Vatican’s health and hygiene office, confirmed that the Pope has maintained his appetite and eats regularly. Alfieri also noted that Pope Francis remains in good spirits with a sense of humor intact.
Once the acute phase of the infection is treated, Pope Francis can continue his recovery at his residence in the Casa Santa Marta. The Vatican reported that following a slight improvement in his condition, the Pope engaged in work activities and received the Eucharist. A spokesperson added that his heart is stable, and he has no fever.
Admitted to the clinic in Rome on February 14, Pope Francis initially underwent tests for a respiratory tract infection and was later diagnosed with pneumonia in both lungs. Having a history of respiratory infections, the Pope previously suffered severe pneumonia as a young man, leading to the removal of part of one lung.
In 2021, doctors surgically removed part of his colon due to diverticulitis, which can cause colon inflammation or infection. He was also hospitalized with bronchitis in 2023 and experienced two falls leading to injuries in recent months.
This hospitalization marks the third-longest time Pope Francis has spent in the hospital since his election. Despite doctors advising "complete rest," the Pope remains engaged in some work. On the first two days of hospitalization, he maintained daily phone calls with Rev. Gabriel Romanelli and Father Yusuf Asad in Gaza City amid the ongoing conflict.
Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni shared that the Pope has been signing off on decisions from the clinic. His "closest collaborators" have visited him, and Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni had a 20-minute visit, affirming that the Pope retains his sense of humor.
Globally, worshipers have gathered in candle-lit churches to pray for Pope Francis' recovery, from Argentina to the Vatican. "We always put him in our intentions," shared Rodomina Valdez, a 45-year-old Argentinian, at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Buenos Aires. "But what we can do is put him in our prayers and offer fasting or some penance."
Outside St. Peter’s Basilica, a German tourist expressed hope for the Pope's continued strength. At the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic, children from the oncology department sent letters and drawings with well-wishes. "I hope he gets well soon and can return to his role," said Gaetano Bavagnini, a resident of Rome. "He is an extraordinary man and an extraordinary Pope."
