ROME — The Vatican announced Saturday that Pope Francis is in critical condition after experiencing a prolonged asthmatic respiratory crisis that necessitated high levels of oxygen support.
Francis, 88, has been hospitalized for a week due to a complex lung infection. According to a recent Vatican update, he also underwent blood transfusions after tests indicated a condition linked to anemia.
“The Holy Father remains alert and spent the day sitting in an armchair, though he is experiencing more pain than yesterday. Currently, the prognosis is guarded,” the statement read.
Earlier, doctors stated that Francis is battling pneumonia and a complex respiratory infection that they say persists and will require him to stay in the hospital for at least another week.
The Vatican continued with its Holy Year celebrations on Saturday, even in the Pope’s absence.
A brief update released earlier on Saturday noted that Francis had a restful night.
However, doctors cautioned that the primary danger for Francis is the potential development of sepsis, a severe blood infection that can arise as a complication of pneumonia. As of Friday, there was no sign of sepsis, and Francis was responding to the medications he was receiving, the Pope’s medical team reported in their first comprehensive update on his condition.
“He is not out of danger,” stated his personal physician, Dr. Luigi Carbone. “Like all vulnerable patients, his condition is precarious: it doesn’t take much to become unstable.”
Francis, who has a history of chronic lung disease, was admitted to Gemelli hospital on February 14 after a week-long bout of bronchitis worsened.
Doctors initially diagnosed a complex viral, bacterial, and fungal respiratory tract infection, followed by the onset of pneumonia in both lungs. They prescribed “absolute rest,” a combination of cortisone and antibiotics, and supplemental oxygen as needed.
Carbone, along with Francis’ personal nurse Massimiliano Strappetti, organized his care at the Vatican. He admitted that Francis insisted on remaining at the Vatican to work, even while ill, “because of institutional and private commitments.” Before being hospitalized, he was under the care of a cardiologist and infectious disease specialist, in addition to his personal medical team.
Dr. Sergio Alfieri, the head of medicine and surgery at Rome’s Gemelli hospital, stated that the greatest risk to Francis is the possibility of germs from his respiratory system entering the bloodstream, leading to sepsis. Sepsis can result in organ failure and death.
“Sepsis, given his respiratory issues and age, would be very difficult to overcome,” Alfieri said at a news conference Friday at Gemelli. “The English say ‘knock on wood,’ we say ‘touch iron.’ Everyone touch what they want,” he said as he tapped the microphone. “But this is the real risk in these cases: that these germs pass to the bloodstream.”
“He knows he’s in danger,” Alfieri added. “And he told us to relay that.”
Meanwhile, deacons were gathering at the Vatican for their special Jubilee weekend. Francis fell ill at the beginning of the Vatican’s Holy Year, a Catholic celebration held once every 25 years. Francis was scheduled to celebrate deacons this weekend, a ministry in the church that precedes ordination to the priesthood.
The Vatican announced that the Holy Year organizer will celebrate Sunday’s Mass in his place. Additionally, for the second consecutive weekend, Francis is expected to miss his traditional Sunday noon blessing, which he could have delivered from Gemelli if he were well enough.
“Even though he’s not (physically) here, we know he’s here,” said Luis Arnaldo Lopez Quirindongo, a deacon from Ponce, Puerto Rico, who was at the Vatican on Saturday for the Jubilee celebration. “He’s recovering, but he’s in our hearts and is accompanying us because our prayers and his go together.”
Furthermore, doctors have stated that Francis’s recovery will take time and that he will still have to manage his chronic respiratory problems back at the Vatican.
“He has to get over this infection, and we all hope he gets over it,” said Alfieri. “But the fact is, all doors are open.”
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