Photograph of a portrait of Pope Francis with a baby, on a stained glass wall of St. Paul’s Cathedral.
Pope Francis resting after respiratory failure ‘alert’ in hospital.
Credit: Shutterstock, Lies Ouwerkerk
The Vatican has confirmed that Pope Francis, 88, is still recovering after two new respiratory crises struck late on Monday, March 3.
Hospitalised at the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome since February 14 with pneumonia in both lungs, the pontiff’s condition took a worrisome turn earlier this week but appears to have stabilised – at least for now. ‘The pope slept through the night, and now his rest continues’, the Vatican said on Tuesday, March 4.
Two fresh scares
Medical staff were forced to resume the Pope’s noninvasive mechanical ventilation on Monday night when he began to suffer from ‘copious’ secretions of mucus, preventing him from breathing unaided. The procedure, conducted by inserting a camera-tipped tube into his airways, helped doctors suction out fluid and ease his breathing.
The build-up of secretions showed he lacked the muscular strength to expel them, explained doctors treating him at the Gemelli Polyclinic.
Though laboratory tests have revealed no new bacterial infections, specialists say the mucus problem is a lingering effect of his double pneumonia, rather than a fresh illness.
A guarded prognosis
Despite the Vatican’s assurance that Pope Francis is alert and co-operative, they have classified his outlook as ‘guarded – a term suggesting that while his condition may be stable for the moment, he is far from being out of danger. Doctors have not released any images or videos of the Pope since his hospital admission, marking his longest absence from public view in his 12-year papacy.
The ailing pontiff, who often uses a wheelchair due to mobility challenges, has a history of chronic lung disease and had part of one lung removed in his youth. That background has made his fight against this pneumonia a particularly difficult one. Respiratory physiotherapy is currently helping him strengthen his lungs, but his advanced age means every setback is treated with utmost caution.
For now, all eyes remain fixed on the Gemelli Polyclinic, where many faithful gather in quiet vigil.
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