Pope Francis has been diagnosed with double pneumonia, the Holy See press office said in a statement quoted by Vatican News on Wednesday. He was hospitalised with the infection last Friday.
“The onset of double pneumonia, which requires additional pharmacological therapy,” was detected in a repeat CT scan of the chest, which the Pope underwent on the appointment of Vatican medics, the Vatican clarified. “Nevertheless, Pope Francis is in good spirits,” the statement said.
The Vatican said laboratory tests, chest X-rays and Pope Francis’ clinical condition “continue to present a complex picture.” The head of the Roman Catholic Church has developed a polymicrobial infection that has required the use of anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotics, complicating treatment.
Earlier, the Vatican announced that the pope’s participation in all public events has been cancelled until Sunday. He had been scheduled to attend several events over the weekend to mark the Catholic Holy Year. On Monday, the Vatican said doctors had changed the pope’s therapy for the second time during his hospital stay due to a “complex clinical situation.”
Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said on February 16 that the condition of the head of the Roman Catholic Church is stable, he continues treatment. Doctors have prescribed him “absolute rest” along with drug therapy. As ABC News noted, this is Francis’ fourth hospitalisation since his election in 2013, which “has raised questions about his increasingly precarious health.”
