The Vatican said on Saturday that Pope Francis' health has worsened in the past 24 hours, describing his morbidity as “criticism” for the first time, reporting that he needed supplemental oxygen and blood transfusions.
Francis, 88, who has double pneumonia, suffered a “long-term asthma respiratory crisis”, the Vatican said in a statement.
“The situation of the Father is still crucial,” the statement said. “The Pope is not dangerous.”
The Vatican added: “The Holy Father remains vigilant and spends the day in the chair, even though he is more uncomfortable than yesterday. Currently, the prognosis is still protected.”
Francis was taken to the Jegley Hospital in Rome on February 14 after a few days of difficulty breathing. He has since been diagnosed with bipneumonia.
The Vatican said Saturday that doctors had to manage “high flow” of oxygen due to his respiratory crisis. It added that blood transfusion was necessary because tests showed that his platelet count was low and was associated with anemia.
The Vatican announced earlier in the day that Francis would not make public appearances on Sunday to pray with the pilgrims, a second week in a row he would miss the game.
Double pneumonia is a serious infection that can inflame and scar both lungs, making it difficult to breathe. The Vatican describes the Pope's infection as “complex”, saying it is caused by two or more microorganisms.
In a briefing Friday, two of his doctors said the pope was very vulnerable because of his age and vulnerability.
Dr. Sergio Alfieri, a senior member of the Gemelli staff, said the lung infection could spread to his blood and develop into sepsis, “it could be difficult to overcome.”
“Useless guess”
Francis, who has served as head of the Roman Catholic Church since 2013, has been in poor health over the past two years. He is particularly prone to lung infections because he developed pleuritis at a young age and part of his lungs.
Concerns about his health have led at least one cardinal to suggest that Francis might resign if he feels unable to move on.
But sometimes called the Deputy Pope, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State, dismissed a speech like “useless speculation.”
“Now, we are considering the health of the Holy Father, his recovery and return to the Vatican,” Parolin told Corriere della sera Daily in a comment posted on Saturday.
