Pope Francis’s health has taken a turn for the worse over the past 24 hours, according to the Vatican, who reports that the pontiff has endured an extended asthma-like respiratory crisis, necessitating blood transfusions. This morning, the Holy See disclosed that the Pope experienced a prolonged asthmatic respiratory crisis, which required high-flow oxygen therapy. Despite remaining conscious and spending the day in a chair, he is reportedly more unwell than the previous day. Admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on February 14 due to breathing difficulties, Francis has been diagnosed with double pneumonia. His medical team assured the press on Friday that though the situation was not life-threatening, the pontiff was “not out of the woods.” However, on Saturday, the Vatican updated that the Pope’s condition was still critical, with the medical team administering high-flow oxygen due to his breathing crisis and blood transfusions to address a low platelet count, indicative of anemia. Double pneumonia, a severe infection that can inflame and scar both lungs, is significantly impairing the Holy Father’s respiratory function. Despite his hospitalization, Francis remains active, including making bishop appointments. The Vatican has announced that the Pope will miss his public appearance on Sunday to lead prayer with pilgrims, marking the second consecutive week he will have skipped the event. Canon law does not specify procedures for addressing a pope’s incapacitation. Although Pope Benedict XVI stepped down in February 2013 due to declining health, there haven’t been any indications that Francis is contemplating resignation.

Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/2/22/pope-in-critical-condition-after-suffering-respiratory-crisis-vatican?traffic_source=rss