Pope Francis’s health has deteriorated over the past 24 four hours, the Vatican said, adding that the pontiff had suffered a “prolonged asthma-like respiratory crisis” and needed blood transfusions.
The Vatican said on Saturday that Pope Francis “presented a prolonged asthmatic respiratory crisis” that required the use of high-flow oxygen.
“The Holy Father remains alert and has spent the day in a chair, though he is more unwell than yesterday”, it added.
After having a few days of trouble breathing, Francis was taken to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on February 14. Since then, he has been given a double pneumonia diagnosis.
His doctors told a news conference on Friday that he was “not out of danger” but that there was no immediate risk of his death.
But on Saturday, the Vatican said that “the Holy Father’s condition remains critical” and added , that doctors had to administer a “high flow” of oxygen because of his breathing crisis. Additionally, it claimed that because tests revealed he had a low platelet count, which is common with anaemia, he needed blood transfusions.
A serious condition that can make it difficult to breathe can cause inflamation and scarring both lungs.
Francis has continued to work during his hospital stay, including making bishop appointments.
The pope will not be performing in public on Sunday, according to the Vatican, which came earlier on Saturday. This is his second consecutive week missing the event.
Canon law does not make any recommendations for what to do if a pope becomes incapacitated.
Source: Aljazeera
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