Pope Francis in the Vatican. Photo: Getty images
Pope Francis, who is 88 years old, is in the Gemelli Hospital in Rome with a diagnosis of bilateral pneumonia. According to the Vatican, he had a restful night and was able to rest, but his condition remains difficult.
On Saturday night, the pontiff’s condition deteriorated sharply due to a prolonged respiratory crisis, similar to an asthma attack. Doctors decided to give him an urgent blood transfusion to stabilise his vital signs.
Due to his illness, the Pope will not be able to hold the traditional Sunday prayer with the faithful for the second time in a row. The Vatican noted that his infection is “complex” because it is caused by several types of microorganisms.
Doctors’ concerns
Experts fear that the infection could spread to the bloodstream, which could lead to sepsis, a condition that could be critical for the 88-year-old pontiff.
“Pope Francis is very vulnerable due to his age and general weakness. The most important thing now is to prevent the spread of infection,” said Gemelli Clinic doctor Sergio Alfieri.
The Pope had previously had problems with his respiratory tract. In 2023, he underwent abdominal surgery and was also treated for bronchitis.
The Vatican emphasises that doctors are doing everything possible to improve the pontiff’s condition, but the prognosis remains cautious.
