Pope Francis’s condition “continues to be critical”, the Vatican said Saturday, saying the 88-year-old was alert but had suffered a respiratory attack that required “high-flow oxygen”, and also blood transfusions.
“At the moment the prognosis is reserved”, it said, as the head of the Catholic Church prepared to spend his ninth night in Rome’s Gemelli hospital, where he was diagnosed this week with double pneumonia.
“The Holy Father’s condition continues to be critical, therefore, as explained yesterday, the pope is not out of danger”, the Vatican said in its regular early evening update.
Pope Francis “presented a prolonged asthmatic respiratory crisis, which required the use of high-flow oxygen,” the statement read.
Daily blood tests “showed thrombocytopenia, associated with anaemia, which required the administration of blood transfusions”, it added.
Even though he was suffering more than he was yesterday, the Holy Father is still present and has spent the day in an armchair.
The Argentine pontiff’s customary weekly Angelus prayer was scheduled for Sunday, but the Vatican later confirmed that it would be published as it had been last weekend.
– Evangelizing the pope
Francis has led the Catholic Church since 2013 but has recently experienced numerous health issues and required significant surgery in 2021 and 2023.
His ability to lead the world’s almost 1.4 billion Catholics has been questioned by this latest hospitalization, which adds to speculation about his potential resignation and who might succeed.
Pietro Parolin, the head of state of the Vatican, stated to the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera that this conversation was normal but that he would refrain from making “useless speculation.”
“Now we are thinking about the health of the Holy Father, his recovery, his return to the Vatican: these are the only things that matter”, the cardinal said.
Francis is undergoing treatment at the Gemelli hospital, where a group of nuns and priests from all over the world gathered on Saturday to pray outside the hospital’s entrance.
According to Brazilian priest Don Wellison, “We are praying for the Holy Father, Pope Francis, and we are praying that he will rest peacefully in the Grace of God.”
According to the Vatican, Francis has been shifting between his bed, a chair, and a nearby chapel where he prays. He has also been working on some projects.
Professor Sergio Alfieri, who leads the pope’s medical team at the Gemalli, said Friday the pontiff’s condition has been slightly improving, allowing doctors to incrementally lower the amount of medication he is taking.
But he made clear then that the situation was very serious, noting the pontiff’s age and general condition of health.
“Is the pope out of danger? No, the pope is not out of danger”, Alfieri said, but added: “If you then ask whether he is in danger of dying at this moment, the answer is still no”.
Francis has stated that the papacy is a lifelong endeavor, but he also left the door open for resignation, as did his predecessor Benedict XVI.
He has frequently made fun of the schemes that his health issues inevitably cause, particularly among those opposed to his reform efforts.
He joked that “they were preparing the conclave,” the cardinals’ meeting to elect a new pope following a death or resignation, in 2021 after having colon surgery.
– A lot of respect
Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi of Italy stated to the Corriere on Friday that he did not rule out Francis leaving.
However, Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernandez, who is in charge of the Holy See’s potent Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, claimed he had not heard anything unusual this time.
“I don’t see a pre-conclave environment, I don’t see more conversations on a potential successor than there were a year ago”, he told Argentina’s La Nacion daily.
“So far I perceive a lot of respect”.
The pope maintains a punishing work schedule, and in September made a 12-day tour to the Asia-Pacific.
However, he has had more health problems, ranging from colon surgery to a 2023 hernia operation.
He frequently uses a wheelchair because he is overweight and has constant hip and knee pain.
Source: Channels TV
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