Pope Francis, who has been hospitalized for over a week, remains in critical condition after developing an asthmatic respiratory crisis on Saturday, according to the Vatican. The pontiff, who is receiving treatment for pneumonia, required high-flow oxygen therapy due to the severity of the respiratory issue. Although he continues to stay alert and spent much of the day in an armchair, he is experiencing more pain than the previous day, as reported by the Vatican.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!In addition to oxygen support, Pope Francis also received blood transfusions to treat anemia. His medical team had previously described his condition as “positive” earlier in the week, though they emphasized that he remains at risk, with the therapy needing time to take full effect.
Despite his grave health struggles, the 88-year-old pope has remained in touch with his assistants, maintaining some work duties. He even held phone calls on the first days of his hospitalization, including discussions with those in Gaza City amid the ongoing conflict. Only his closest collaborators have visited him, including a brief 20-minute visit from Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who noted that the pope’s humor remains intact.
This hospitalization marks the third-longest period Pope Francis has spent in the hospital since his papacy. His doctors have advised complete rest, yet his dedication to his work and ongoing prayers from around the world showcase his resilience.
Francis, originally from Argentina, has faced respiratory issues in the past, including a severe bout of pneumonia in his youth that led to the removal of part of his lung. He has also previously undergone surgery for diverticulitis and had been hospitalized for bronchitis in 2023.
Outside the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome, where the pope is being treated, prayers for his recovery have been offered worldwide. From Argentina to the Vatican, worshipers are lighting candles and fasting in hopes of his recovery. Messages of well-wishes, including drawings from children, have been left at the clinic, with one Rome resident describing Pope Francis as “an extraordinary man and an extraordinary pope.”
