The Vatican has confirmed that Pope Francis suffered two episodes of acute respiratory failure which prompted emergency medical intervention as the 88-year-old pontiff continues his battle with pneumonia.
“Today, the Holy Father experienced two episodes of acute respiratory failure, caused by a significant accumulation of endobronchial mucus and consequent bronchospasm,” the Vatican said in a statement marking Francis’s 18th day in hospital, the longest of his papacy.
The Argentine pope, who was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital on 14 February with bronchitis that later developed into pneumonia in both lungs, underwent two separate bronchoscopies to “aspirate abundant secretions,” according to the Vatican’s nightly medical bulletin.
According to AFP, following the procedures, the pope resumed “non-invasive mechanical ventilation” in the afternoon, using an oxygen mask, but remained “alert, focused and cooperative.”
As it has since the start of his hospitalisation, the Vatican maintained that Francis’s prognosis remains “reserved,” indicating that doctors are unable to predict the likely course of his condition.
The latest health scare follows a breathing crisis on Friday, after which the Vatican had reported on Sunday evening that the pope’s condition was stable.
Over the weekend, he had required oxygen support on Friday and Saturday but managed without it on Sunday, when he participated in mass and alternated between rest and prayer.
Despite his hospitalisation, Francis continued to engage in Vatican affairs. On Sunday, he received Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s secretary of state, and Venezuelan archbishop Edgar Peña Parra, a senior Vatican official.
The pope, who has led the Catholic Church since March 2013, remains under care in a special suite on the 10th floor of the Gemelli, reserved for pontiffs. Missing his traditional Angelus prayer for the third consecutive Sunday, the Vatican instead issued a written message in which he expressed gratitude for the support he had received.
“In it, the pope thanked well-wishers for their prayers, saying: ‘I feel all your affection and closeness and, at this particular time, I feel as if I am “carried” and supported by all God’s people. Thank you all.’”
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