Pope Francis suffers two episodes of 'acute respiratory failure'
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After being hospitalized with pneumonia, Pope Francis experiences two episodes of 'acute respiratory failure,' signaling a further decline in his health.
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People pass a mural of Pope Francis on the wall of a corridor at the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic, where the Pontiff has been hospitalized since February 14, in Rome, on March 1, 2025. (AP)
The Vatican announced on Monday that Pope Francis has suffered two episodes of "acute respiratory failure" after being hospitalized with pneumonia for more than two weeks.
He returned to a stable condition during the weekend but on Monday, the significant accumulation of endobronchial mucus and a consequent bronchospasm triggered the two episodes.
"Two bronchoscopies were therefore performed, requiring aspiration of abundant secretions," the Vatican said. "In the afternoon, non-invasive mechanical ventilation was resumed."
The Vatican added, "The pope has always remained vigilant, oriented, and collaborative". Medics’ prognosis remains "guarded", meaning the pope is not yet out of danger.
On February 14, Pope Francis was admitted to the hospital with bronchitis, which then turned into pneumonia in both lungs. A week later on February 22, he suffered a prolonged asthma-style attack and needed blood transfusions for a low platelet count.
After a few days of showing a "slight" improvement last week, the pope experienced an episode similar to an asthma attack on Friday, which also led to him inhaling vomit.
It's important to mention that he is susceptible to lung infections due to developing pleurisy as a young adult, which led to the partial removal of one lung while he was training to become a priest in Argentina. Medical experts have noted that his age and chronic respiratory condition will make his recovery a gradual process.
