The Vatican announced that Pope Francis is in critical condition following an asthma-related respiratory crisis that required high levels of oxygen.
The 88-year-old Pope has been hospitalized for a week at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital with pneumonia and a lung infection. The pontiff received blood transfusions after medical tests showed low platelet counts, which are usually associated with anemia.
In a statement, the Vatican said, “The Holy Father continues to be alert and spent the day in an armchair although in more pain than yesterday. At the moment the prognosis is reserved.” The doctors treating the Pope have stated that his condition is touch-and-go and not out of danger.
Sepsis is a blood infection that occurs as a complication of pneumonia. The doctors state that this is the primary threat to his health. As of Friday, February 21, there was no evidence of sepsis, and the Pope was responding well to the various medications he was currently taking.
This information followed the initial report on the Pope’s health released by his medical team. Pope Francis, who has a chronic lung disease, was first admitted to Gemelli Hospital on February 14, after a bronchitis outbreak worsened.
Statement from the Vatican: Pope Francis is in critical condition pic.twitter.com/jj2FXpoStu
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In the initial diagnosis made by the doctors, they identified a complex viral, bacterial, and fungal respiratory infection, followed by the onset of pneumonia in both lungs. The Pope was prescribed absolute rest and a combination of cortisone and antibiotics, with supplementary oxygen provided as needed.
The hospital’s head of medicine and surgery, Dr. Sergio Alfieri, also highlighted that the biggest threat to his holiness is sepsis because if some of the bacteria in his respiratory system pass into the bloodstream, it could lead to organ failure and death.
At a news conference on Friday, Dr. Alfieri said, “Sepsis, with his respiratory problems and his age, would be really difficult to get out of. The English say ‘knock on wood,’ we say ‘touch iron.’ Everyone touch what they want.” He added “He (the pope) knows he’s in danger. And he told us to relay that.”
Additionally, top Vatican leadership has dismissed rumors that Pope Francis has resigned. In an interview with the Corriere della Sera newspaper in Milan, Cardinal Pietro Parolin said, “On the other hand, I think it is quite normal that in these situations uncontrolled rumors can spread or some misplaced comment is uttered. It is certainly not the first time it has happened.”
Despite his condition, Pope Francis remains fully conscious.
