Pope Francis Experiences Sudden Respiratory Issue, Requires Assistance from Mechanical Ventilator
Pope Francis confronted a sudden respiratory issue and required the assistance of a breathing machine on a recent Friday, as reported by the Vatican's latest medical update. This difficulty was compounded by vomiting, with some of it being inhaled or aspirated. Medical staff attended to this issue before placing the Pope on mechanical ventilation. Interestingly, the Pope is not intubated but wears a mask according to a Vatican source.
Throughout this ordeal, the Pope remained aware and oriented, demonstrating his mental fortitude. At present, he is not considered to be in immediate danger, although doctors anticipate understanding more about his condition within the next 24 to 48 hours.
The Argentinean Pope's hospitalization at Rome's Gemelli Hospital began two weeks prior, due to a series of lung-related concerns, such as bronchitis and subsequently pneumonia. This stay represents his fourth and longest hospital visit since becoming Pope in 2013.
Pope Francis' health has been affected by lung-related problems for several years. In his younger days, he endured severe pneumonia and underwent surgery to remove part of one lung.
The Vatican has been providing regular updates on the Pope's health, reporting his condition as improving on Thursday, although his prognosis remains vague. As a result, his busy schedule has been altered to accommodate his extensive medical treatment.
Regrettably, the Pope will not administer the upcoming Ash Wednesday service, signifying the beginning of Lent, marking only the second time during his 12-year papacy that he has missed this significant occasion. A cardinal is expected to lead this service instead.
two weeks ago, after being plagued by a string of lung-related medical struggles, including bronchitis and then pneumonia. His current hospitalization is his fourth, and now longest, stay since he became pope in 2013.
During praying hours, Argentinian Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernández expressed his concerns for the Pope and other suffering individuals in the world, such as those affected by conflict, illness, and poverty.
This article has been updated.
CNN's Antonia Mortensen collaborated on this reporting.
Insight: The Pope's current health situation is considered critical but stable. He has undergone oxygen therapy, with slightly reduced oxygen flow and levels, indicating an improvement in his respiratory status. However, his prognosis remains uncertain due to the complexity of his health condition and age. Despite these challenges, he has managed to resume some work activities and participate in religious services during his hospital stay. The Vatican continues to release regular medical updates to address speculation and emphasize that his recovery remains their top priority.
The world widely followed the Pope's health situation, with many articles published about it on various platforms, including a piece on CNN's article__content. The article highlighted Europe's concern for the pontiff's wellbeing. To stay updated, people can visit the Vatican's official website, where they can find the latest news and hrefs to relevant components. Despite the challenges, the reorderable schedule of the Pope's activities has allowed him to participate in some religious services, showcasing his resilience.