THE Vatican issued an update on Pope Francis’ health after previously warning he was “not out of danger”.
The 88-year-old was admitted to hospital on February 14 and has been forced to pull out of official engagements.
AFPThe Vatican has issued an update on Pope Francis[/caption]
The Mega AgencyPope Francis has been diagnosed with pneumonia in both lungs[/caption]
RexAn image of the Argentine Pope Francis is projected onto the Buenos Aires Obelisk on 21 February[/caption]
The pontiff has been suffering from pneumonia in both lungs and is undergoing treatment at Rome‘s Gemelli Hospital.
The Vatican shared a short update on his condition, as Catholics across the world hold out hope the 88-year-old gets better.
It said: “Pope Francis rested well.”
This positive update came after a series of worrying updates from The Church.
The Vatican warned on Monday that a longer hospital stay was needed in the face of a “complex clinical picture” which involved a “polymicrobial infection of the respiratory tract”.
Francis was then said to have been in a “stable” condition a few days later.
The Vatican added that his respiratory infection also involved asthmatic bronchitis, which required the use of an extensive antibiotic treatment.
A previous statement said: “The chest CT scan that the Holy Father underwent this afternoon […] demonstrated the onset of bilateral pneumonia that required further pharmacological therapy.”
Pope Francis has suffered several health scares during his 13 years as the head of the Catholic Church.
The Pope had part of his lung removed as a young man in Argentina, meaning he is particularly vulnerable to pulmonary conditions.
Two people close to the Pontiff claimed Francis, 88, told them he “might not make it this time”, according to a report by Politico.
Francis has reportedly warned his aides that he might not survive his battle this time.
Despite the Vatican previously saying Francis’ condition was stable, the new reports suggest he fears he will soon die and is “tying up loose ends” ahead of his successor.
The pontiff has reportedly been suffering with intense pain, according to two aides.
Despite this, the Pope said he was in good spirits and thanked people for their prayers for his speedy recovery.
Gianfranco Ravasi, the Vatican’s former Minister of Culture, suggested Francis could resign if he felt unable to carry on his duties.
The cardinal told Italian radio station RTL: “There is no doubt that the Pope could decide to resign if he found himself in a situation in which his ability to have direct contact with people and to communicate in an immediate, incisive and decisive manner was compromised.”
Historically, it has been customary for the Pontiff to serve until his death.
However, Pope Benedict XVI, Francis’s immediate predecessor, resigned in 2013 – almost nine years before his eventual death in December 2022.
AFPThe Pope had part of his lung removed as a young man[/caption]
AFPCandles left on the statue of John Paul II outside the Gemelli hospital where Pope Francis is hospitalized[/caption]
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