Pope has a ‘isolated’ respiratory crisis in the hospital, says the Vatican

Pope Francis, who has been fighting pneumonia for two weeks, has had a “isolated” respiratory crisis in the hospital, said the Vatican.

He led to an episode of vomiting and a “sudden worsening of his respiratory condition” on Friday after the “Broncospasm” cough.

The lungs of the 88 -year -old man had to be aspirated, clear from the vomit, and is now receiving gas through a mask to help him breathe.

Vatican sources say that Pope’s doctors need 24-48 hours to determine if there has been any damage or retreated their condition. For now they are not giving any prognosis.

The Pope remains alert and “in a good mood,” says the sources.

In a statement, the Vatican said: “In the afternoon today, after a morning that passed respiratory physiotherapy alternating with prayer in the chapel, the Holy Father presented an isolated bronchospasm crisis that, however, led to an episode of vomiting with inhalation and sudden worsening of the respiratory condition.

“The Holy Father was broken and began non -invasive mechanical ventilation, with a good response to gas exchange.”

Vatican sources said the last crisis occurred around 2:00 p.m. local time, but did not say how long it lasted.

This last episode comes after a couple of days in which Vatican’s statements had been a bit more positive, speaking of a “slight improvement” in the pontiff’s condition.

This morning he was given communion.

In a previous medical update this morning, the Vatican had said that the Pontiff was showing signs of improvement and would remain in the Gemelli hospital in Rome due to the complex clinical image.

The Pope entered the hospital on February 14 after experiencing respiratory difficulties for several days.

First it was treated by bronchitis before being diagnosed with pneumonia in both lungs.

Then, in February 22The Vatican said that the Pope had experienced a respiratory crisis and was in a “critical” condition, but then on Sunday he launched an update that said “he had not presented any respiratory crises.”

The next day, the Pope issued a statement asking the Catholics to pray for him later He could not deliver the traditional prayer of Angelus in person during the second week.

But, while the Vatican said that the Pope’s health is improving, he added that “more days of clinical stability to solve the prognosis are necessary.”

The pontiff is particularly susceptible to pneumonia, an infection of the lungs that can be caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi, after contracting Pleurisy, an inflammation of the lungs, when he was a young man and extended the partial lung.

The leader of the Roman Catholic Church has been admitted to the hospital several times during his 12 -year term, including the treatment of bronchitis in the same hospital in March 2023.

From Argentina, Pope Francis is the first Latin American, and the first Jesuit, to direct the Roman Catholic Church.