Abdelrahman
After several days of cautious optimism and two weeks battling pneumonia in both lungs, Pope Francis faced another respiratory challenge on Friday, heightening concerns regarding the health of the head of the Roman Catholic Church.
In a statement released on Friday evening, the Vatican reported that the 88-year-old pontiff, who has a history of respiratory issues, experienced a bronchial spasm that led to inhalation of his vomit following a severe coughing episode. This incident exacerbated his respiratory condition and necessitated aspiration.
According to the Vatican, this crisis unfolded in the early afternoon after the pope had spent the mornings undergoing respiratory physiotherapy and engaging in prayers at the chapel. He required “noninvasive” ventilation—indicating he was not intubated, which typically involves sedation. Remarkably, he remained “alert and conscious at all times.”
The Vatican also shared that the pope’s medical team indicated it would take between 24 to 48 hours to assess whether this latest setback had negatively impacted his overall health.
Currently, Pope Francis is utilizing a mask over his mouth and nose to aid his breathing, similar to his previous use during his stay at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital. The Vatican noted that the pope was actively participating in his treatment and appeared to be in “good spirits.”
Initially admitted for bronchitis, the pope’s diagnosis later included pneumonia. He had managed to recover from a respiratory episode last Saturday, with recent medical updates showing cautious optimism, although physicians had warned he was still not fully out of danger. In the days leading up to the latest crisis, doctors had reported that the pope was no longer in “critical condition,” but they described his overall situation as “complex.”
