Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Iran: Iranian TV: Israeli Hermes drone shot down over Tehran
Iran Al Mayadeen's correspondent: New Israeli evacuation warnings issued in the Mehran neighborhood, a residential area in the capital, Tehran
Iran: Al Mayadeen correspondent: No confirmation from official Iranian sources regarding Trump's talk of a ceasefire
Trump: This is a War that could have gone on for years, and destroyed the entire Middle East, but it didn’t, and never will! God bless Israel, God bless Iran, God bless the Middle East, God bless the United States of America, and God bless the world
Trump: During each ceasefire, the other side will remain peaceful and respectful
Trump: On the assumption that everything works as it should, which it will, I would like to congratulate both countries, Israel and Iran on having the stamina, courage, and intelligence to end, what should be called, THE 12 DAY WAR
Trump: Officially, Iran will start the ceasefire and, upon the 12th Hour, Israel will start the ceasefire and, upon the 24th Hour, an official end to the 12 day war will be saluted by the world.
Trump: [The ceasefire will last] for 12 hours, at which point the war will be considered ended!
US President Donald Trump: Congratulations to everyone! It has been fully agreed by and between Israel and Iran that there will be a complete and total ceasefire in approximately 6 hours from now
Iran: Explosions were heard in Tehran

Pope battling pneumonia, still in good spirits: Vatican

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 19 Feb 2025 12:07
4 Min Read

The Pope was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital last Friday after a week-long struggle with bronchitis worsened.

Listen
  • x
  • Nuns sit next to a statue of Pope John Paul II in front
    Nuns sit next to a statue of Pope John Paul II in front of the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic, in Rome, Monday, Feb. 17, 2025, where Pope Francis has been hospitalized to undergo some necessary diagnostic tests and to continue his ongoing treatment for bronchitis. (AP)

The Vatican announced Tuesday that Pope Francis has developed pneumonia in both lungs, raising concerns about the 88-year-old pontiff’s ability to overcome the infection.

According to the Vatican, Pope Francis’ respiratory illness also involves asthmatic bronchitis, which requires cortisone and antibiotic treatment.

"Laboratory tests, chest X-ray, and the Holy Father’s clinical condition continue to present a complex picture," Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni stated.

Despite his condition, Francis remains in good spirits and expressed gratitude for the prayers supporting his recovery, as per the Vatican.

Furthermore, Bruni emphasized that the Pope, who had the upper lobe of his right lung removed as a young man, was stable.

The Pope was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital last Friday after a week-long struggle with bronchitis worsened. On Monday, doctors determined he was suffering from a polymicrobial respiratory tract infection, meaning a combination of viruses, bacteria, and possibly other organisms had colonized his respiratory system.

"The follow-up chest CT scan which the Holy Father underwent this afternoon...demonstrated the onset of bilateral pneumonia, which required additional drug therapy," Bruni confirmed.

Related News

Pope stable and doing well, Vatican says, despite hospital stay

No details about Pope's response to treatment

While bronchitis can develop into pneumonia, a more serious infection that affects the air sacs in the lungs, pneumonia is especially concerning when it impacts both lungs, as it leaves little healthy tissue to compensate.

Treatment typically includes oxygen therapy, intravenous fluids, and addressing the underlying infection. So far, Pope Francis has not required supplemental oxygen, and continues to eat breakfast, read newspapers, and perform light work from his hospital room.

The Vatican has offered no details about how the Pope is responding to treatment beyond confirming he is fever-free. However, infectious disease expert Dr. Carmelo D’Asero noted that the absence of a fever isn’t necessarily reassuring. "A high fever is a sign of an immune response to a pathogen," he explained. "Having a low fever and having a serious bronchial infection...is a sign of a decreased immune response and that makes us worry a little bit more, let’s say. Maybe if he had a fever, it would have been better."

The Vatican has not indicated how long the Pope might remain hospitalized, stating only that his "complex clinical picture" would require an "adequate" stay, given the adjustments made to his treatment regimen.

Vatican affairs remain uninterrupted

While Vatican business largely continued, with Cardinal Pietro Parolin maintaining his trip to Burkina Faso and Cardinal Michael Czerny preparing to leave for Lebanon, some activities had to be canceled. The pope’s weekly general audience on Wednesday was scrapped, and it remains uncertain whether he will deliver his Sunday blessing for a second consecutive week.

The hospitalization has also disrupted planned events for the Vatican Holy Year, including ceremonies for deacons, which will now be led by Archbishop Rino Fisichella instead of the pope.

The pontiff's hospitalization this year has already sidelined him longer than his 2023 stay for pneumonia. The pope, who had part of his lung removed after a pulmonary infection in his youth, has admitted to being a non-compliant patient. Vatican aides have shared that Francis ignored medical advice to rest and insisted on attending an outdoor Jubilee Mass for the armed forces on February 9, despite breathing difficulties.

As his hospitalization continues, the Vatican has yet to specify when he might be discharged, acknowledging that his recovery requires careful management of a "complex clinical picture."

Read next: Pope Francis moves to protect legacy amid serious illness: Politico

  • bronchitis
  • Pope Francis
  • Vatican
  • Pneumonia

Most Read

Iran launches 9th wave of Op. True Promise 3, destroys IOF air defense

Iran launches 9th wave of Op. True Promise 3, destroys IOF air defense

  • MENA
  • 17 Jun 2025
Israeli workers survey the site where a missile launched from Iran struck in Haifa on Sunday, June 22, 2025. (AP)

True Promise 3, wave 20: 40 missiles launched, Kheibar-Shekan in first

  • Politics
  • 22 Jun 2025
Rescue team work at the site where a missile launched from Iran struck Tel Aviv, Israel, Monday, June 16, 2025 (AP)

Wave 12 of Operation True Promise 3 launched, Sejjil deployed: IRGC

  • Politics
  • 18 Jun 2025
Iran launches missile barrage to Tel Aviv, casualties reported

True Promise 3, wave 14: Tel Aviv targeted, casualties reported

  • Politics
  • 19 Jun 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
President Donald Trump speaks with reporters upon arriving at Morristown Municipal Airport in Morristown, N.J., Friday, June 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
Politics

Trump lashes out at media outlets for downplaying Iran strike impact

ap
Politics

Turkey denies role in US-Israeli strikes on Iran nuclear sites

Iran targets US air base in Qatar with 'destructive' missile strike
MENA

Iran retaliates, targets US air base in Qatar with missiles

Demonstrators hold up a banner during a protest by Palestine Action group in London, Monday, June 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
Politics

UK signals 'terror' ban on 'Palestine Action', sparking protests

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS