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
Lebanese President: Israeli aggression on Blida took place in aftermath of meeting of ceasefire monitoring committee.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun asks Commander of Lebanese Army to confront any Israeli incursion into liberated Lebanese territory in the South.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Israeli aircraft launch series of strikes on area of Jarmaq, South Lebanon.
Reuters: Afghanistan and Pakistan agree to restart peace talks in Istanbul.
Al-Mayadeen's correspondent in southern Lebanon: Israeli occupation forces withdraw from the Blida municipality building two hours after occupying it, and the Lebanese army enters
Pakistani army: 6 soldiers and 7 militants killed in clash near the Afghan border
Israeli media: Sirens sound in the settlement of Kerem Shalom in the Gaza envelope area
Afghan source to Al Mayadeen: We still believe in dialogue and prioritize diplomatic solutions with Pakistan; though we are ready for all possibilities.
Afghan source to Al Mayadeen: Pakistan purposely obstructed negotiations in Turkey by making unrealistic demands.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: More than 70 martyrs in Israeli attacks on Gaza since dawn.

Pope Francis in critical condition after severe respiratory crisis

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 23 Feb 2025 08:48
3 Min Read

The pontiff is still hospitalized with a severe lung infection, receiving high-flow oxygen and blood transfusions.

Listen
  • x
  • Catholics gather at the Manila Cathedral in Manila, Philippines on Friday Feb. 21, 2025 to pray for the healing and recovery of Pope Francis as part of a nationwide call for prayers initiated by the Catholic Bishop's Conference of the Philippines. (AP)
    Catholics gather at the Manila Cathedral in Manila, Philippines on Friday, February 21, 2025, to pray for the healing and recovery of Pope Francis as part of a nationwide call for prayers initiated by the Catholic Bishop's Conference of the Philippines. (AP)

Pope Francis was in critical condition on Saturday following a prolonged asthmatic respiratory crisis while being treated for pneumonia and a complex lung infection, according to the Vatican.

The 88-year-old pontiff remains conscious and has been receiving “high flows” of oxygen to assist his breathing. Due to low platelet counts—essential for blood clotting—he also underwent blood transfusions, the Vatican said in a late update.

Francis has been hospitalized for a week at Gemelli Hospital in Rome with a serious lung infection. Despite being “alert” and spending the day in an armchair, the Vatican noted he was in “more pain than yesterday” and that his prognosis remains uncertain.

Doctors have warned that his primary risk is the potential onset of sepsis, a severe blood infection that can complicate pneumonia. However, as of Friday, there were no signs of sepsis, and Francis was responding to his medications.

Saturday’s tests revealed a low platelet count, a condition known as thrombocytopenia, which can result from infections or medication side effects, according to the US National Institutes of Health.

Related News

Maduro says late Pope Francis warned him of US death threat

Pope Leo XIV commits to continuing Pope Francis' reform agenda

'He knows he's in danger'

Francis, who has chronic lung disease, was admitted on 14 February after his bronchitis worsened. Physicians diagnosed him with a complex viral, bacterial, and fungal respiratory tract infection, followed by pneumonia affecting both lungs. He was prescribed “absolute rest,” cortisone, antibiotics, and supplemental oxygen when needed.

Dr. Sergio Alfieri, head of medicine and surgery at Gemelli Hospital, acknowledged the gravity of the situation: “He knows he’s in danger,” he said. “And he told us to relay that.”

Meanwhile, Vatican officials sought to dismiss speculation about a possible resignation. There is no provision in canon law for handling the incapacitation of a pope, though Francis has previously stated that he wrote a resignation letter to be used if he were unable to make decisions.

Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin addressed the rumors in an interview with Corriere della Sera, following an official Vatican denial of an Italian media report claiming he and the pope’s chief canonist had secretly visited Francis in the hospital.

Parolin downplayed the speculation, saying such discussions were “useless” and that the focus should remain on the pope’s recovery.

“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,” Parolin said.

“However, I don’t think there is any particular movement, and so far I haven’t heard anything like that.”

  • Pope Francis
  • Vatican
  • Pneumonia
  • lung infection

Most Read

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

  • Technology
  • 24 Oct 2025
Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

  • Politics
  • 27 Oct 2025
Hi-tech holocaust: Microsoft’s role in Gaza genocide

Microsoft's role in world’s first AI-driven genocide, in Gaza, exposed

  • Technology
  • 28 Oct 2025
What Marr evidently didn't seem to understand was that Hedges isn't saying that Western journalists manipulate the truth, but that they systematically amplify Israeli narratives they know are false. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)

Western journalists know they have a case to answer for their betrayal of Gaza, and it frightens them

  • Opinion
  • 24 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Displaced Sudanese who fled El-Fasher after the city fell to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), rest near the town of Tawila in war-torn Sudan's western Darfur region (AP)
Politics

UAE directly funded RSF, leading to fall of El-Fasher: Sudan

'You’re not welcome in Greece': Israelis face port protests
Politics

'You’re not welcome in Greece': Israelis face port protests

This photo released by the Israeli military on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023, shows ground operations inside the Gaza Strip (AP)
Politics

IOF soldier who fought in Gaza, Lebanon denied entry to Czech Republic

UN inquiry exposes 'Israel’s' four genocidal crimes against Gaza
Politics

'Israel' committed four genocidal acts in Gaza, UN inquiry finds

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