The Holy See said the 88-year-old pontiff was still in danger after suffering a “prolonged asthma-like” attack. The pope has been hospitalized with pneumonia and a lung infection.
The Holy See said the 88-year-old pontiff was still in danger after suffering a “prolonged asthma-like” attack. The pope has been hospitalized with pneumonia and a lung infection.
Pope Francis presides over a mass for the jubilee of the armed forces in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican, on February 9, 2025
The head of 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide has been hospitalized in Rome for more than a weekImage: Maria Grazia Picciarella/ROPI/picture alliance
The health of Pope Francis’ has deteriorated over the past 24 hours, the Vatican said in a statement on Saturday, over a week after he was admitted to hospital with breathing difficulties.
“The Holy Father remains alert and has spent the day in a chair, though he is more unwell than yesterday. At the moment, the prognosis remains guarded,” the Vatican wrote.
The statement added that the 88-year-old Francis had suffered a “prolonged asthma-like respiratory crisis” that had required blood transfusions.
Doctors had to administer a “high flow” of oxygen because of the pope’s breathing crisis, the Vatican said, adding the transfusions were necessary because tests showed that he had a low platelet count, associated with anemia.
Pope Francis in critical condition, Vatican says
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Francis ‘not out of danger’
“The Holy Father’s condition remains critical,” the statement continued. “The Pope is not out of danger.”
The update, drafted by Francis’ medical team but issued by the Vatican, marked the first time the pope’s prognosis had been described as “critical,” which suggests that it is in flux and requires close observation.
wide shot of the Gemelli hospital treating Pope Francis, in Rome, Italy, on March 30, 2023wide shot of the Gemelli hospital treating Pope Francis, in Rome, Italy, on March 30, 2023
Pope Francis was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on February 14Image: Slovencik/EXPA/Eibner Europa/IMAGO
The religious leader was taken to a hospital in Rome a week ago Friday with pneumonia and a complex lung infection.
Double pneumonia can inflame and scar both lungs, making it difficult to breathe.
The Vatican has previously described the pope’s infection as “complex,” saying it is being caused by two or more micro-organisms.
Professor Sergio Alfieri, who leads the pope’s medical team, said Friday that the pontiff’s condition was slightly improving, allowing doctors to incrementally lower the amount of medication he is taking.
But he made clear then that the situation was very serious, noting the patient’s age and general condition of health.
Earlier on Saturday, the Vatican announced that Francis would not appear in public on Sunday to lead the Angelis prayer with pilgrims. This would make it the second consecutive week he will have missed the event.-DW