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The condition of Pope Francis, who was hospitalised last week due to a lung infection, is deteriorating. Doctors have diagnosed him with bilateral pneumonia, which requires additional medication. This was reported by KNA news agency with reference to a Vatican statement on Tuesday, 18 February.
The pontiff’s press service noted that the new diagnosis requires adjustments to the treatment plan. The day before, the 88-year-old Pope Francis was diagnosed with a polymicrobial respiratory tract infection, which also forced doctors to change his treatment strategy.
The pontiff will remain in hospital indefinitely. At the same time, the Vatican assures that Francis is in a good mood, alternating between rest, prayer and reading texts.
“He is grateful for the support he feels at this moment and with a grateful heart asks that we continue to pray for him,” the Vatican said in a statement.
Hospitalisation of Pope Francis
The pontiff was admitted to a hospital in Rome on 14 February after several days of difficulty breathing. Doctors then reported a “mild fever“, but later his condition worsened.
Francis has chronic lung problems – part of one of his lungs was removed when he was young. Because of this, he has been regularly experiencing respiratory complications in recent years.
In March 2023, he spent three nights in hospital due to bronchitis, but continued official meetings and international travel.
Despite health problems, in September 2024, the Pope made the longest trip of his pontificate, visiting four Asian countries in 12 days.
