Pressmediaofindia
Related Articles
20-02-2025
VATICAN CITY: Pope Francis has developed pneumonia in both his lungs and his condition remains “complex”, the Vatican says.
The 88-year-old has been suffering from a respiratory infection for more than a week and was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital on Friday.
“The follow-up chest CT scan which the Holy Father underwent this afternoon… demonstrated the onset of bilateral pneumonia, which required additional drug therapy,” the Vatican said.
It said lab tests, a chest X-ray and the Pope’s clinical condition “continue to present a complex picture”.
Despite this, Pope Francis remained in “good spirits”, the statement said.
Before his admission last week, the Pope had bronchitis symptoms for several days and had delegated officials to read prepared speeches at events.
He had been due to lead several events over the weekend for the 2025 Catholic Holy Year which runs through to next January, however all public events on the Pope’s calendar have been cancelled through to Sunday.
On Monday, the Vatican said that doctors had changed the pope’s drug therapy for the second time during his hospital stay to tackle what at the time was thought to be a “polymicrobial infection of the respiratory tract”.
The Pope is especially prone to lung infections due to developing pleurisy as an adult and having part of one of his lungs removed at age 21.
During his 12 years as leader of the Roman Catholic Church, the Argentine has been hospitalized several times including in March 2023 when he spent three nights in hospital with bronchitis.
The pope is especially prone to lung infections because as a young adult he developed pleurisy and had part of one lung removed.
A Vatican official, who declined to be named because of the sensitivity of the issue, said earlier in the day that the pontiff had not been put on a ventilator and was breathing on his own.
Ahead of the latest statement, the Vatican announced that all public engagements on the pope’s calendar had been cancelled through Sunday.
The pope had been due to lead several events over the weekend for the 2025 Catholic Holy Year, which runs through to next January.
The Vatican said on Monday that doctors had changed the pope’s drug therapy for the second time during his hospital stay to tackle a “complex clinical situation”.
Doctors say a polymicrobial infection occurs when two or more micro-organisms are involved, and can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi.
The Vatican has said Francis will stay in hospital for as long as necessary.
The pope has been plagued by ill health in recent years, including regular bouts of flu, sciatica nerve pain and an abdominal hernia that required surgery in 2023.
The Vatican statement on Tuesday said he was grateful for all the support he has received in recent days. “With a thankful heart, (he) asks for continued prayers on his behalf,” it added.
Doctors have changed treatment for Pope Francis’ respiratory tract infection to tackle a “complex clinical situation,” and he will remain in hospital for as long as necessary, the Vatican said on Monday.
The 88-year-old pontiff has been suffering from a respiratory infection for more than a week and was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Friday.
“The results of the tests carried out in recent days and today have demonstrated a polymicrobial infection of the respiratory tract, which has led to a further modification of the therapy,” said a brief statement. (Int’l News Desk)
