Pope Francis, who was hospitalized with pneumonia, had a breathing “crisis” on Friday that caused him to vomit, but he was given air and did well, according to the Vatican.
Following a number of incremental improvements, the 88-year-old pontiff’s condition was no longer regarded as critical, according to a Vatican source who was present at the time.
The Vatican said in a statement on Friday evening that Francis, who has spent the past two weeks at Rome’s Gemelli hospital, “presented an isolated crisis of bronchospasm which… led to an episode of vomiting with inhalation and a sudden worsening of the respiratory picture.”
The Holy Father started non-invasive mechanical ventilation right away, with a good gas exchange response, according to the statement.
READ MORE: Pope Francis Stating “Slight Improvement,” Says Vatican
Francis “continued to be alert and focused throughout the entire process,” the statement continued.
According to a Vatican source, it would take the next 24 to 48 hours to determine whether or not his breathing issue has worsened his condition.
The pontiff is “in good spirits,” according to the source, and is “not out of danger.” He was wearing an oxygen mask that covers his nose and mouth.
According to the source, he also responded to his condition better than others might have.
The pope was admitted to a hospital on February 14 for breathing problems, but his condition deteriorated to pneumonia in both lungs, causing concern.
He had a breathing attack over the weekend, but since then, he’s appeared to be improving, with the Vatican releasing more optimistic medical news.
Doctors won’t be able to foretell changes to the pope’s prognosis of “reserved,” which means he won’t be able to change his.
Still reserved
A sustained recovery may take time due to Francis’s age and the chronic respiratory condition he suffers.
The pope, who is the head of the nearly 1.4 billion Catholics in the world, was a young man who had a lungs removed, and has since experienced worse health issues.
He relies on a wheelchair because of his bronchitis and hip and knee pain, which makes him more susceptible to the condition.
Francis has nevertheless continued to work from the special hospital suite on the tenth floor of Gemelli.
According to the Vatican, he has been engaging in breathing exercises while he is resting and praying.
The Argentine’s almost 12-year papacy is the fourth and longest, with four more hospital stays.
He has recently undergone bronchitis, surgery on his colon, and a hernia operation.
Given that Francis’ schedule is jam-packed with papal duties and holy jubilee celebrations, there has been some speculating as to whether or not Francis will now step down.
Italian Vatican expert Marco Politi told AFP: “If the pope survives, many people assume that he will want to finish the Jubilee year but that when he is 89, he will have to decide whether or not to resign.”
Benedict XVI, who resigned in 2013 due to his physical and mental health, has always been a friend of Francis’.
However, Francis had repeatedly stated that it was not and may never be the right time for him to be hospitalized.
