VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis remains in critical condition at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital after suffering a severe asthmatic respiratory crisis, the Vatican said Saturday. The 88-year-old pontiff is receiving high-flow oxygen therapy and blood transfusions due to thrombocytopenia linked to anemia.
Although Francis remains alert and has been sitting upright in a chair, his condition has deteriorated compared to the previous day. His prognosis remains uncertain.
The pope was admitted to the hospital on Feb. 14 with bilateral pneumonia and a polymicrobial respiratory infection. Doctors monitoring his condition are concerned about possible complications, including sepsis.
Dr. Sergio Alfieri, director of medical and surgical sciences at Gemelli, said the pope is not at immediate risk of death but is still in danger. “Both outcomes remain possible,” Alfieri said.
Despite his worsening health, Francis has continued some of his official duties from his hospital room. He has been receiving visitors, including Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and remains mentally engaged. Alfieri noted that the pope has maintained his sense of humor throughout his hospitalization.
This latest health scare adds to a series of medical challenges for the pope. In 2021, he underwent colon surgery for diverticulitis. The following year, he began using a wheelchair due to chronic knee pain. In 2023, he was hospitalized for a respiratory infection and later underwent abdominal surgery for a hernia.
These health issues have led to speculation about whether Francis will continue leading the Catholic Church. While he has dismissed rumors of resignation, he previously said he would step down if his health prevented him from fulfilling his duties. In January, he reiterated that he has no plans to resign due to health concerns.
Ten years of experience reporting. From car chases and courtroom verdicts to House fires, Holsford thrives during breaking news and finds it a privilege to help drive the conversation in Rockland County and the Greater New York Area. Born in San Bernardino, Thomas is a New York boy at heart. He received his bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism, specializing in political science and sociology, from the University of Illinois
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