Pope Francis is in critical condition after respiratory crisis but “continues to be alert,” the Vatican says
The Vatican said Pope Francis suffered a prolonged acute respiratory crisis and required a large amount of oxygen flow.
The Vatican said in a later update that the 88-year-old Francis, who was hospitalized for a week in a complex lung infection, also received a blood transfusion after testing it was shown to be associated with anemia. Earlier in the day, the Vatican said Francis “rests well” overnight.
“The Holy Father continued to be alert and spent the day in the armchair, although more painful than yesterday. The prognosis is retained at this moment.”
The doctor said Friday Francis, 88, “no danger”, Moreover, the main threat he faces is the onset of sepsis, a serious infection that can occur with pneumonia complications.
“The breathing problems of sepsis and his age are really hard to get out of the situation,” said Dr. Sergio Alfieri, director of medicine and surgery at Rome Jegilly Hospital in a press conference on Friday. “The British said ‘knock the wood,’ we said ‘touch the iron. Everyone touched what they wanted.” He said as he patted the microphone. “But in these cases, it’s the real risk: these bacteria are passed to the blood.”
In a brief update on Saturday, Francis slept well overnight.
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The Vatican did not hold a holy year celebration on Saturday.
Francis, who suffers from chronic lung disease A week-long round worsening of bronchitis.
The doctor first diagnosed it Complex virus, bacteria and fungal respiratory infections Then it occurs in both lungs. They prescribe “absolute rest” and combine cortisone with antibiotics and supplemental oxygen when needed.
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Cabini organized care for him in the Vatican with Francis’s private nurse Massimiliano Strappeti, who admitted that even though he was sick, he insisted on staying in the Vatican to work “due to institutions and private commitments.” Before he was hospitalized, he also Be cared for by cardiologists and infectious disease experts.
Meanwhile, the deacons are gathering in the Vatican to spend their special Jubilee weekend. Francis got sick at the beginning The Holy Year of the Vaticanthe once-spread quarterly Catholic celebrations. This weekend, Francis was supposed to celebrate the deacon, a ministry in the church, before the priesthood.
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Holy Year organizers will celebrate Sunday’s Mass, the Vatican said. On the second weekend, Francis is expected to skip his traditional Sunday noon blessing, which he could have sent from Gemelli if he wanted.
“Look, even if he is not (physically) here, we know he is here.” said Luis Arnaldo Lopez Quirindongo, a deacon from Ponce, Puerto Rico, who Jubilee Year celebrations are held in the Vatican on Saturday. “He is recovering, but he is in our hearts, accompanying us because of our prayers.”
Apart from that, the doctor said Francis’ recovery will take time, whether he still has to return to the Vatican’s chronic breathing problems.
As his hospital continues to develop, some of the cardinals of Francis began to answer an obvious question: whether Francis would become irreversibly ill and unable to continue, and whether he would resign. Francis said he would consider this, after Pope Benedict XVI “opened the door” to retire to the Pope, but showed no signs of resignation, actually recently asserting that the Pope’s work It’s lifelong.