After days of cautious optimism and two weeks in the hospital due to pneumonia in both lungs, Pope Francis experienced a respiratory crisis on Friday, raising concerns regarding his health prognosis.
The Vatican announced that the 88-year-old pontiff, who has a history of respiratory issues, inhaled vomit after a coughing fit, leading to a worsening respiratory condition that required aspiration.
This incident took place early Friday afternoon, following a morning of respiratory physiotherapy and prayer. The pope was provided with “noninvasive” ventilation, meaning he was not intubated and remained alert and conscious throughout the process.
The Vatican indicated that it would take 24 to 48 hours to assess whether this crisis had adversely affected the pope's condition further.
Pope Francis is currently using a mask to assist with breathing, similar to previous times during his stay at Gemelli Hospital in Rome. The Vatican noted that he was cooperating with therapeutic measures and was in good spirits.
Initially admitted for bronchitis, he was later diagnosed with pneumonia. A prior respiratory crisis occurred last Saturday, after which he showed signs of improvement. Recent medical updates had been cautiously optimistic, although doctors warned he was not yet out of danger, describing his condition as “complex” but not in “critical condition.”
Austen Ivereigh, a biographer of Pope Francis, labeled the recent crisis as a setback and urged prayers for the pontiff’s recovery.
Concerns regarding the pope's health were echoed by others, including Father Felicien Abengalo, a priest in Rome, who emphasized the seriousness of the illness given the pope's age and current condition.