Pope ‘remains critical’ after ‘respiratory crisis’
The Vatican said Pope Francis’ condition remains “critical” after suffering a “long-term asthma-like respiratory crisis” earlier on Saturday.
The statement said the pope was “more uncomfortable than yesterday” and received a blood transfusion.
The Vatican said the 88-year-old sat in an armchair but needed “high flow” of oxygen and his prognosis was “still protected.”
The pope is receiving pneumonia treatment in two lungs at the Jegli Hospital in Rome.
The Vatican said that due to the low platelet counts associated with anemia, blood transfusions were considered necessary.
“The situation of the Father is still crucial,” a statement said. “The Pope is not dangerous.”
The statement added: “The Father continues to be alert to sit in the armchair even if he suffers more than yesterday’s pain.”
The pope was admitted to the hospital for the first time on February 14 after several days of difficult breathing.
Earlier, the Vatican had announced that Pope Francis would not pray with pilgrims on Sunday, meaning he would miss the event for the second consecutive week.
On Friday, his doctor said his life was not dangerous, but he was “not dangerous.”
His condition was previously described as complex.
The Pope is particularly prone to lung infections because pleuritis occurs – inflammation around the lungs – and as adults, part of his lungs is removed at the age of 21.
During his 12 years as president of the Roman Catholic Church, Argentina was hospitalized several times, including in March 2023, when he suffered from bronchitis in the hospital.
