Pope Francis remains conscious, in critical condition: Vatican
Francis, 88, has been hospitalized since Feb. 14. He is battling a respiratory infection and pneumonia in both lungs.
Pope Francis remained in critical condition Sunday in an Italian hospital as he worked to recover from a serious respiratory infection.
“The night passed quietly, the Pope rested,” Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said early Sunday in a statement.
Francis, 88, remained conscious, Vatican officials said. He continued receiving “high flows” of supplemental oxygen on Sunday after his condition deteriorated Saturday and he required blood transfusions.
Francis has been hospitalized since Feb. 14. He is battling a respiratory infection and pneumonia in both lungs.
Doctors have only said the Pope’s prognosis is “reserved.” Francis has told his team “both doors are open,” surgeon Sergio Alfieri said Friday.
Francis suffered a prolonged asthmatic respiratory crisis on Saturday, requiring supplementary oxygen to help him breathe through a nasal tube. His blood platelet count also dropped, leading to the transfusions he received.
Pope Francis arrives in the Artemio Franchi stadium to celebrate a mass during his visit to Florence on Nov. 10, 2015. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
The Pope’s medical team has said the biggest threat to his life is sepsis, a serious blood infection that can occur as a complication of pneumonia. But as of Friday, there was no evidence of sepsis in Francis’ blood.
“I have recently received many messages of affection, and I have been particularly struck by the letters and drawings from children,” read a message Sunday on the Pope’s social media page. “Thank you for your closeness, and for the consoling prayers I have received from all over the world!”
For the second straight week, the Pope was unable to deliver his Sunday prayer at St. Peter’s Square. Archbishop Rino Fisichella led Sunday’s Mass in his place.
With News Wire Services