Pope Francis remains in a critical condition following a prolonged asthmatic respiratory crisis that necessitated high-flow oxygen, the Vatican confirmed.
The 88-year-old pontiff, hospitalised for over a week with pneumonia and a complex lung infection, has also received blood transfusions due to low platelet counts linked to anaemia.
“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,” the Vatican stated in its latest update.
Medical experts attending to the Pope described his condition as precarious, cautioning that he remains at significant risk. The primary concern is the possibility of sepsis, a severe blood infection that could arise as a complication of pneumonia.
Dr Sergio Alfieri, head of medicine and surgery at Rome’s Gemelli hospital, emphasised the severity of the situation.
“Sepsis, with his respiratory problems and his age, would be really difficult to get out of,” he remarked at a press briefing.
“The English say 'knock on wood,' we say 'touch iron.' Everyone touch what they want,” he said, tapping the microphone. “But this is the real risk in these cases: that these germs pass to the bloodstream.”
Alfieri further stated, “He knows he's in danger. And he told us to relay that.”
Concerns over papal succession
Amid the Pope’s deteriorating health, speculation over a possible resignation has resurfaced.
Vatican authorities have, however, sought to dispel such conjecture.
Francis has previously stated that he has drafted a resignation letter to be invoked should he become medically incapacitated, yet no such move has been initiated.
Also read: Cardinals say Pope recovering, but resignation a possiblity
In a rare interview with Corriere della Sera, Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin dismissed the speculation, stressing that the focus should remain on the pontiff’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,” he remarked.
His comments followed the Vatican’s firm denial of reports that Parolin and the Pope’s chief canonist had visited Francis at the hospital in secrecy. Given the canonical implications of such a meeting, the Vatican was swift in rejecting the claims outright.
“However, I don’t think there is any particular movement, and so far I haven’t heard anything like that,” Parolin added.
Holy Year celebrations continue
The Pope’s illness coincides with the Vatican’s Holy Year celebrations, a once-in-25-years event commemorating Catholicism.
This weekend’s events were intended to honour deacons, an order preceding priesthood, but Francis remains unable to participate.
In his absence, the organiser of the Holy Year will officiate Sunday’s Mass, while the Pope is expected to forgo his customary Sunday noon blessing for the second consecutive week.
Despite his absence, attendees of the Holy Year event expressed their solidarity with the ailing pontiff. Luis Arnaldo Lopez Quirindongo, a deacon from Ponce, Puerto Rico, remarked, “Look, even though he's not (physically) here, we know he's here. He's recovering, but he's in our hearts and is accompanying us, because our prayers and his go together.”
As medical teams closely monitor his condition, the Vatican remains hopeful for his recovery, though concerns persist over his vulnerability to further complications.
Also read: Pope Francis names Sister Brambilla first female prefect
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