Pope Francis remains in a critical condition following a prolonged respiratory crisis that required high-flow oxygen, the Vatican confirmed.
The 88-year-old pontiff, who has been in the hospital for over a week, is being treated for double pneumonia and chronic bronchitis.
In an update on Saturday evening, Vatican officials stated that the Pope’s condition “continues to be critical,” noting that he suffered a prolonged asthmatic respiratory crisis earlier in the day, necessitating high-flow oxygen support.
Additionally, blood transfusions were administered after tests revealed thrombocytopenia, a condition linked to anemia.
“The Holy Father continues to be vigilant and spent the day in an armchair even though he was suffering more than yesterday. At the moment, the prognosis is reserved,” the Vatican’s statement read.
Earlier on Saturday morning, the Vatican provided a brief update, the shortest since Pope Francis was admitted on February 14, confirming that he had rested well but would not lead Sunday prayers for the second consecutive week.
Instead, he is expected to prepare a written homily for someone else to deliver during the Angelus.
Concerns over the Pope’s frail health have led to speculation about a possible resignation, though the Vatican has yet to address such rumors.
Medical experts on Friday stressed that while the pontiff remains in a serious condition, he is not in immediate danger of death.
The chief of his medical team, Sergio Alfieri, explained: “Is he out of danger? No. But if the question is ‘is he in danger of death,’ the answer is ‘no.’”
Doctors disclosed that Francis was initially battling seasonal flu before his hospitalization, and his demanding schedule had contributed to fatigue.
His current condition is complicated by a multifaceted infection involving both bacteria and viruses in the respiratory tract.
While he does not have sepsis, a life-threatening infection that spreads through the bloodstream, his medical team emphasized the risk of the infection spreading remains their primary concern.
Pope Francis has a long history of respiratory illnesses, having lost part of a lung to pleurisy in his youth. He also suffered from an acute case of pneumonia in 2023.
