Vatican Provides Update To Pope Francis’ Health Condition

Pope Francis has been diagnosed with bilateral pneumonia in both lungs, the Vatican said Tuesday.

“Laboratory tests, chest X-rays, and the clinical condition of the Holy Father continue to present a complex picture,” a press release from Vatican News read.

Pope Francis has pneumonia in both lungs, tests indicate a “complex picture” for one of the oldest popes in the church’s historyhttps://t.co/AbhHuYDzut

— CNN Breaking News (@cnnbrk) February 18, 2025

Per Vatican News:

In a message to journalists on Tuesday evening, the Holy See Press Office gave the latest update on the Pope’s health since he was hospitalized on Friday to receive treatment for bronchitis.

The statement added that the Pope’s “polymicrobial infection, which has arisen in the context of bronchiectasis and asthmatic bronchitis, and has required the use of corticosteroid and antibiotics, makes the therapeutic treatment more complex.”

“A follow-up chest CT scan, to which the Holy Father was subjected this afternoon—prescribed by the Vatican medical team and the medical staff of the “A. Gemelli” Polyclinic Foundation—revealed the onset of bilateral pneumonia, requiring additional pharmacological therapy.”

“Nevertheless,” the press release adds, “Pope Francis remains in good spirits.”

ADVERTISEMENT

The Press Office statement concludes by noting that the Pope had “received the Eucharist and, throughout the day, alternated between rest, prayer, and reading. He expresses his gratitude for the support he feels at this time and kindly asks that prayers for him continue.”

Just in: Pope Francis has been diagnosed with double pneumonia pic.twitter.com/8mBOWWY3hw

— The Calvin Coolidge Project (@TheCalvinCooli1) February 18, 2025

Pope Francis, 88, has pneumonia in both his lungs, will remain in the hospital: reports https://t.co/VgwVeBfGs7 pic.twitter.com/i83Lajbytw

— New York Post (@nypost) February 18, 2025

From the Associated Press:

Bronchitis can lead to pneumonia, which is a deeper and far more serious infection of the lungs’ air sacs. Treatment varies by severity but can include providing oxygen through a nasal tube or mask, intravenous fluids – and treatment of the underlying cause of the infection. To date Francis is not known to be using supplemental oxygen, and he has eaten breakfast every day, read the newspapers and done some work from his hospital room.

The Vatican has given no indication of how long the pope might remain hospitalized, only saying that the treatment of such a “complex clinical picture,” which has already required two changes in his drug regimen, would require an “adequate” stay.

Francis once again had a peaceful night, ate breakfast and read the newspapers Tuesday morning, Bruni said. Despite the less than positive news about Francis’ condition, a rainbow appeared over the Gemelli hospital on Tuesday afternoon.

On Monday, Francis resumed doing some work and made his daily call to a Gaza City parish to check in on the Catholic community there. In a sign that other Vatican business was proceeding as usual Tuesday, the Vatican No. 2, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, continued his delicate visit to Burkina Faso and another top Vatican cardinal, Cardinal Michael Czerny, prepared to leave Wednesday for a five-day visit to Lebanon.

But other business had to be canceled. There will be no weekly general audience Wednesday, and it’s not clear if Francis will miss his Sunday noon blessing for a second week in a row. His hospitalization has also forced the cancellation of some events surrounding the Vatican Holy Year, the once-every-quarter-century ceremony in which millions of pilgrims flock to Rome.

This is a Guest Post from our friends over at 100 Percent Fed Up.

View the original article here.