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25-02-2025
VATICAN CITY: Pope Francis remains in a “critical” condition but “has not presented any further respiratory crises”, the Vatican said in a statement on Sunday.
He was still receiving high-flow oxygen therapy and had undergone blood transfusions. Blood tests also showed he had “initial, mild, renal insufficiency”, a kidney problem that is “currently under control”, the statement said.
The Vatican said he “continues to be alert and well oriented”.
The Pope was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on 14 February after experiencing breathing difficulties for several days, where he was first treated for bronchitis before being diagnosed with pneumonia in both lungs.
On Sunday, the Pope’s thrombocytopenia, a condition that occurs when the platelet count in the blood is too low was stable, the statement said.
In the morning, the Pope “participated in the Holy Mass, together with those who are taking care of him during these days”, the statement continued.
The Vatican did not offer a prognosis given the “complexity of the clinical picture”.
The new statement comes after the Vatican said on Saturday that the Pope had experienced a respiratory crisis and was in a “critical” condition.
Earlier on Sunday, the Pope issued a statement asking Catholics to pray for him after he was unable to deliver the traditional Angelus prayer in person for the second week running.
The pontiff is particularly susceptible to pneumonia, an infection of the lungs that can be caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi, after he contracted pleurisy, an inflammation of the lungs as a young man and underwent a partial lung removal.
The leader of the Roman Catholic Church has been admitted to hospital multiple times during his 12-year tenure, including being treated for bronchitis at the same hospital in March 2023.
From Argentina, Pope Francis is the first Latin American, and first Jesuit, to lead the Roman Catholic Church.
Pope Francis has asked Catholics to pray for him, as he continues to receive treatment in hospital for double pneumonia.
The pontiff was unable to deliver the traditional Angelus prayer in person for the second Sunday running but in a message written over the last few days, he said he was “confidently continuing” his hospitalization at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital and “carrying on with the necessary treatment”.
The message comes after the Vatican revealed on Saturday that the 88-year-old’s condition continues to be “critical”.
In his message, released on Sunday, the Pope thanked the doctors and health workers at the hospital, and well-wishers who sent in messages.
“In recent days I have received many messages of affection, and I have been particularly struck by the letters and drawings from children,” he wrote.
“Thank you for this closeness, and for the prayers of comfort I have received from all over the world! I entrust you all to the intercession of Mary, and I ask you to pray for me.” Well-wishers have continued to pray outside the hospital.
Dozens of people have been seen lighting candles and leaving them at the foot of a nearby statue of the late Pope John Paul II.
The 88-year-old was first admitted to hospital on 14 February after experiencing difficulties breathing for several days.
He is especially prone to lung infections due to developing pleurisy, an inflammation around the lungs 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 admitted to hospital several times, including in March 2023 when he spent three nights in hospital with bronchitis. (Int’l News Desk)
