The head of the Catholic Church and the head of state Vatican Pope Francis survived the asthmatic crisis, received oxygen support and passed blood transfusion due to a reduced level of platelets.
According to the Vatican, an 88-year-old pontiff, which has been treated from the Roman Gemelli clinic after severe bronchitis, is still in critical condition. He diagnosed polymicrobial infection and bilateral pneumonia.
“The state of the pope remains critical. As previously announced, he has not yet passed the dangerous stage,” the statement said.
According to the Vatican, Pope Francis in the morning had a long asthmatic crisis, which required oxygen therapy. “Analyzes showed anemia and thrombocytopenia, which made a blood transfusion. Despite this, the dad remains conscious, but he feels worse than yesterday,” the statement said.
It is noted that the pontiff will not be able to conduct a traditional Sunday prayer, instead the text of the appeal will be published.
In the meantime, the Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Passolin in an interview with the newspaper Corriere Della Sera commented on the discussion of the possible resignation of the pontiff. He called such conversations “unnecessary speculations” and emphasized that now the main thing is his recovery and return to the Vatican.
Exacerbation of health problems
Pope Francis has been heading the Catholic Church since 2013. He was first hospitalized in 2021, then he was undergoing an operation on the intestine.
In 2023, the pontiff was treated twice in the Gemelli clinic: once due to breathing problems, the second for a surgical operation to install a prosthesis in the abdominal wall.
Due to the pain in the knee, Francis in recent years often moved in a wheelchair.
on February 9 and 12, during public events, he complained about bronchitis and difficulty breathing, could not make planned speeches and instructed his assistants to read the prepared texts.
February 14, dad was hospitalized. Later, doctors revealed a polymicrobial infection of the respiratory tract in him. On February 18, the Vatican said that the pontiff developed pneumonia, and his condition remains difficult.
On February 19, the Vatican said that dad no longer needs oxygen support and can breathe on its own. The last official report said about the “slight improvement” of its condition.
All events involving the pope planned for the next weekend were canceled.