The Vatican suddenly announced that Pope Francis was in critical condition
The Vatican announced that Pope Francis is in critical condition and requires blood transfusions and oxygen.
Pope Francis was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on February 14 after having difficulty breathing for several days. He was diagnosed with pneumonia in both lungs.
Many people pray on February 22 in front of a statue of the late Pope John Paul II outside the Gemelli Hospital where Pope Francis is being treated
Reuters reported that the Vatican on February 22 used the word “critical” for the first time to describe Pope Francis’ condition. In a statement on the evening of February 22 (local time), the Catholic Church said that the head of the Holy See had experienced “a prolonged respiratory crisis similar to asthma” that morning and had to be given high-flow oxygen.
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“The Holy Father’s condition remains critical. The Pope is not out of danger,” the Vatican said, adding that the Pope remained conscious and sat up all day, although his condition was “worse than yesterday”. “At the moment, the prognosis remains assured,” the Vatican said.
In addition to oxygen, Pope Francis also received a blood transfusion after tests showed a low platelet count, related to anemia.
Earlier in the day, the Vatican announced that Pope Francis would not preside over Sunday Mass, the second time in a row he has skipped the event.
Pneumonia is a serious condition that can cause inflammation and scarring of the lungs, making it difficult to breathe. The Vatican described Pope Francis’ condition as “complicated” due to two or more microorganisms.
On February 20, two of the Pope’s doctors said the head of the Catholic Church was at high risk due to his age and poor health. Dr Sergio Alfieri, part of the treatment team at Gemelli Hospital, said there was a risk that the lung infection could spread to the bloodstream and develop into sepsis, which “could be very difficult to overcome”.
