Pope Francis' illness

Yesterday afternoon, March 1 (the same morning in Italy), the Vatican announced that Pope Francis had a peaceful night and was resting, but did not provide further details, according to Reuters.

Catholics hold portraits of Pope Francis as they attend a mass to pray for him in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on February 24.

"Suddenly got worse"

The announcement came after the Vatican released its latest detailed update on Pope Francis' health on the evening of February 28, saying that on the afternoon of the same day, "the Holy Father had an isolated bronchospasm," describing the constriction in his respiratory tract as an asthma attack. The Vatican added that the Pope also "vomited while inhaling and his respiratory condition suddenly worsened," according to Reuters.

Pope Francis was then suctioned to help clear vomit from his airway and placed on “non-invasive ventilation,” the Vatican said. The Holy See stressed that Pope Francis “remains alert and well-oriented,” and is continuing his treatment.

How is the Pope elected?

A Vatican official, who did not want to be named, said that Pope Francis' breathing problems on February 28 were not long-lasting, according to Reuters. The official added that Pope Francis's breathing support included the use of a light mask over his nose and mouth. Pope Francis' doctors expect it will take 24 to 48 hours to assess how the illness will affect his clinical condition, the Vatican official said. The official also said that Pope Francis is "not out of danger" but "remains in good spirits."

The new detailed update on Pope Francis' health comes after three consecutive days of positive updates. The Vatican previously said there had been a "slight improvement" in Francis' health as he battled a "complicated" infection caused by two or more microorganisms. The Vatican last described him as having a "persistent asthma-like respiratory crisis" on February 22, but there had been no recurrences before February 28.

Still working from the hospital

Pope Francis (89 years old, Argentine) has been in Gemelli Hospital in Rome (Italy) for 2 weeks, after being admitted on February 14 with a serious respiratory infection that caused other complications. This is the fourth and longest hospital stay of Francis in nearly 12 years as pope.

The Vatican has not said how long Pope Francis will remain in hospital, but announced on February 28 that he will not preside over an annual mass on March 5 that opens the Christian season of Lent. That ceremony will be led by a senior Vatican official.

Pope Francis, however, continues to lead the Vatican from the hospital. Appointments requiring his approval are announced daily. On February 28, the Vatican released a letter from the pope to participants in the Catholic Church's training course in Rome, signed by Pope Francis with a note stating that the letter was sent "from the Gemelli Hospital."

Despite health problems in recent years, Pope Francis rarely takes a break. In September 2024, he completed a four-country tour, the longest of his papacy in terms of time and distance. He is ready to follow the example of his predecessor Benedict XVI, who resigned in 2013 due to poor health. However, before being hospitalized on February 14, Pope Francis repeatedly said that it was not yet time to step down, according to AFP.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/benh-tinh-cua-giao-hoang-francis-185250301221216587.htm