Pope Francis had a peaceful night after suffering a respiratory crisis that caused a sudden decline in his health. The Vatican provided a brief update this morning, reassuring the public that the Pope is stable but still in a serious condition.
The 88-year-old pontiff woke up, enjoyed his morning coffee, and read the newspapers. He can still move around and sit in his armchair. However, the Vatican emphasised that while his condition has improved, it remains critical and his prognosis is still uncertain.
Respiratory crisis and treatment
On Friday, Pope Francis faced a sudden worsening of his respiratory health. He experienced a “bronchospasm,” where the muscles in his airways tightened. This caused him to inhale some vomit. Doctors administered non-invasive mechanical ventilation, and the Pope responded well to the treatment.
The Vatican reassured the public that the Pope stayed alert throughout the episode and assisted with his treatment. However, his condition remains under careful observation.
This is the fourth time Pope Francis has been hospitalised since becoming Pope in 2013. In 2021, he underwent significant abdominal surgery and had another procedure in 2023 to treat scar tissue and an abdominal hernia. Earlier that same year, he was briefly hospitalised for pneumonia.
Support from around the world
Outside Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, people have gathered to show their support. Many have left messages and notes near a statue of Pope John Paul II, and prayers continue to pour in from across the globe.
Maria Ratai, a woman praying for the Pope in St. Peter’s Square, expressed, “I pray for him every night, for his health. We need him—not just us Italians, but the whole world needs him. He’s a man of peace, and the world needs peace.”
Rev. Jacinto Bento, visiting Assisi with a group of 30 pilgrims from the Azores Islands, added, “We are praying for the Pope every day. We are deeply saddened by his situation.”
