Pope Francis is in critical condition after suffering a prolonged asthmatic respiratory crisis that required high-flow oxygen therapy.
Gatekeepers News reports that the Vatican disclosed this in a statement.
The pope who has been hospitalised for a week due to pneumonia and a complex lung infection, also received blood transfusions after tests revealed low platelet counts linked to anaemia.
The Vatican said, “The Holy Father continues to be alert and spent the day in an armchair although in more pain than yesterday. At the moment the prognosis is reserved.”
Medical officials disclosed that Pope Francis’ condition remains unstable, with sepsis posing the greatest risk.
Sergio Alfieri, head of medicine and surgery at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, “ Sepsis, with his respiratory problems and his age, would be really difficult to get out of.”
The hospital official noted he is fully aware of his condition, saying, “The English say ‘knock on wood,’ we say ‘touch iron.’ Everyone touch what they want. But this is the real risk in these cases: that these germs pass to the bloodstream.”
“He knows he’s in danger. And he told us to relay that.”
Francis, who has chronic lung disease was admitted to Gemelli Hospital on February 14, 2025, after his bronchitis worsened.
Doctors diagnosed a viral, bacterial, and fungal respiratory tract infection, followed by pneumonia in both lungs.
Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s secretary of state has also refuted claims that Pope Francis might step down due to his health.
Parolin said, “On the other hand, I think it is quite normal that in these situations uncontrolled rumours can spread or some misplaced comment is uttered.”
“It is certainly not the first time it has happened. However, I don’t think there is any particular movement, and so far I haven’t heard anything like that.”
