Pope Francis is in critical condition following an asthmatic respiratory crisis that required doctors to administer oxygen, according to reports from The Associated Press, citing the Vatican.
His condition worsened due to complications, and he was also given blood transfusions after tests revealed a low platelet count, Reuters reported.
“The Holy Father continues to be alert and spent the day in an armchair, although he is in more pain than yesterday. At the moment, the prognosis is reserved,” the Vatican stated.
While Vatican News reassured the public that Pope Francis is not currently in immediate danger of death, doctors remain cautious. He will need to remain hospitalized for at least the next week as medical professionals closely monitor his condition. One of the primary concerns is the potential for sepsis, a severe and potentially fatal infection.
Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News’ senior medical analyst, emphasized the importance of the next 12 hours in determining the pope’s recovery trajectory. “This is a very common complication in cases like this, especially since he has underlying bronchitis and issues with his upper airways,” Siegel explained.
Given the pope’s medical history, Siegel believes it is “very, very likely” he could develop pneumonia, though he remains cautiously optimistic about his overall prognosis.
As a result of his condition, Pope Francis was unable to participate in the Vatican’s Holy Year celebrations on Saturday. The Vatican also announced that he would not be making any public appearances on Sunday, marking the second consecutive week he has missed such engagements.
The 88-year-old pontiff was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on February 14 after experiencing severe respiratory difficulties. Initially, doctors believed the symptoms were linked to bronchitis, but further examinations led to a diagnosis of double pneumonia, an infection that affects both lungs and can be particularly dangerous for elderly individuals.
Pope Francis has long battled respiratory health issues. When he was 21, he underwent surgery to remove part of his lung after developing pleurisy, a painful inflammation of the lung’s lining. Over the years, he has managed recurring respiratory challenges, but his advancing age has made these conditions increasingly difficult to combat.
Despite these struggles, the pope has often downplayed concerns about his health. In his recently published autobiography, he dismissed speculation about his physical condition, attributing his challenges simply to aging. “The Church is governed using the head and the heart, not the legs,” he wrote, reinforcing his belief that his ability to lead is not solely dependent on his physical well-being.
As the pope remains in the hospital under close observation, the Vatican has yet to provide further updates on his potential discharge or the long-term impact of his current health scare.
The coming days will be critical in determining his recovery, with doctors continuing to monitor his risk for complications. Faithful followers around the world remain hopeful for his swift and complete healing, as prayers and well wishes pour in from across the globe.