Pope Francis spent a peaceful ninth night at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital as he continues to receive treatment for double pneumonia, according to a recent update from the Holy See Press Office. While the Pope’s overall condition remains critical, he is reportedly stable and alert despite experiencing significant fatigue.
In an update released on Saturday, the Press Office highlighted that Pope Francis faced a serious asthma-like respiratory crisis which required high-flow oxygen, along with blood tests revealing thrombocytopenia linked to anemia—leading to necessary blood transfusions. While still under careful monitoring, the Pope’s medical team has stated that he is not currently in immediate danger of death, but they also cautioned that he is not entirely out of danger.
Dr. Sergio Alfieri, the lead physician caring for the Pope, mentioned during a press conference that the Holy Father is expected to remain hospitalized for at least the upcoming week and is managing his breathing challenges without a ventilator. Despite these struggles, the Pope has maintained a sense of humor, greeting staff with light-hearted banter.
The doctors did express concern over the risk of germs potentially entering the Pope’s bloodstream, which could lead to serious complications. Nevertheless, Dr. Alfieri conveyed optimism about Pope Francis eventually leaving the hospital, indicating that he would return to Casa Santa Marta, although his chronic respiratory issues will persist.
This hopeful outlook amidst the challenges faced by the Holy Father may offer comfort to many, as he continues to exhibit resilience and maintain an active role even while hospitalized.