The health of Pope Francis has worsened significantly, according to a statement issued by the Vatican this Saturday, and is in a “critical” state with a “reserved prognosis.”
The Holy See added that the Holy Father suffers “prolonged respiratory crisis of asthmatic type” and has had to be transfused at the Gemelli Hospital in Rome, where he remains hospitalized since February 14.
The Pope in the Gemelli: in the morning a respiratory crisis @Holyseepress https://t.co/rriajcrxww
– Vatican News (@vaticannews_es) February 22, 2025
According to him VaticanPope Francis experienced a severe respiratory episode on the morning of this Saturday, which required the administration of high flow oxygen.
Blood analysis also revealed thrombocytopenia, a condition characterized by a dangerously low platelet count, associated with anemia. This led the medical team to administer blood transfusions.
“The Holy Father remains alert and has spent the day in a chair, although he is more indisposed than yesterday. At the moment, the forecast is still reserved, ”said the Vatican statement.
Health deterioration
The news marks a significant escalation in the concerns of the Pope’s health. Initially it was hospitalized for respiratory difficulties, then diagnosed as bilateral pneumonia, a serious infection that affects both lungs. Doctors have described the infection of the Pope as “complex”, indicating the participation of multiple microorganisms, said the French agency AFP.
Dr. Sergio Alfieri, a member of the GEMELLI Hospital staff and part of the Pope’s medical team, warned Friday that Pope Francis was particularly vulnerable due to his age and pre -existing health conditions, and caught attention to the risk that the Pulmonary infection extended to the bloodstream, which could cause sepsis, a potentially deadly condition.
Pope Francis has faced a series of health problems in recent years, including colon surgery and abdominal problems. He is also prone to pulmonary infections, having undergone surgery to remove part of a lung due to pleuritis when he was young.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knysflgnnc8
Discard negotiations for succession
The serious health of the first Latin American Pope in history unleashed discussions about a possible resignation. At the moment, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, secretary of state of the Vatican, ruled out such conversations as “useless speculations” and emphasized that the approach must continue to be the health of the Pope, his recovery and his return to the Vatican.
For his part, Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, a close confidant of Francisco, minimized the suggestions of an imminent conclave, stating that he perceived “enough respect” and no special discussion about a successor.
“It is not worth some groups to press for a resignation. They have already done it several times in recent years ”without success, he told the newspaper The nation The Argentine Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of Faith and very close to Francisco.
“I do not see pre-cóclave climate, I see no more conversations about a possible successor than those that were one year ago, that is, nothing special. Until now I perceive enough respect, ”said the prelate.
Outside the Gemelli Hospital, faithful and religious gathered to pray for the recovery of Pope Francis, gathering around the statue of John Paul II.
