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Pope Francis remains in critical condition as he battles double pneumonia and the onset of mild kidney failure, the Vatican confirmed on Monday. Despite his health challenges, the 88-year-old pontiff is alert and able to eat and move around his hospital room, according to an unnamed Vatican official.
The pope, who has been hospitalized for 11 days at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, is undergoing treatment for a “complex” infection caused by multiple microorganisms. Double pneumonia, a severe condition that inflames and scars both lungs, has made breathing difficult for the pontiff. On Sunday, the Vatican revealed that blood tests indicated an “initial, slight insufficiency” in his kidney function, though it remains under control.
Francis received a blood transfusion on Saturday after experiencing a prolonged respiratory crisis similar to an asthma attack. His prognosis remains “guarded,” according to the latest medical update. Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni provided a brief update on Monday morning, stating, “It was a good night, the pope slept and is resting,” but did not offer further details. A more comprehensive update was expected later in the evening.
The pope’s health has been a growing concern in recent years. Francis, who has led the Catholic Church since 2013, has a history of lung issues, including pleurisy in his youth, which led to the removal of part of one lung. This makes him particularly vulnerable to respiratory infections.
The Vatican’s Sunday evening update described Francis as “alert and well-oriented” and noted that he is receiving “high-flow oxygen therapy” through a nasal tube. The statement also addressed his kidney function, confirming that the “initial, slight renal insufficiency” is being managed.
The pope’s prolonged illness has sparked rare public speculation among Catholic cardinals, the highest-ranking officials in the 1.4 billion-member Church. New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan, during a Mass at his cathedral on Sunday, suggested that the pope might be “close to death,” though he clarified that his remarks were based solely on the Vatican’s official updates.
German Cardinal Gerhard Müller, a former Vatican official, criticized cardinals for publicly speculating about the pope’s condition or planning for a conclave to elect his successor. “The pope is still alive, and this is a moment for prayer,” Müller told Corriere della Sera. “If anyone is looking to the future while Francis is in the hospital, that’s good for nothing.”
In a show of solidarity, the Vatican organized a prayer service for Francis in St. Peter’s Square on Monday evening, led by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s second-highest official. Outside Gemelli Hospital, groups gathered near a statue of the late Pope John Paul II, who was also treated at the facility, to pray for Francis’s recovery.
Maria Vozlv, a Ukrainian resident of Rome, expressed the sentiments of many, saying, “We Ukrainians are really praying for him. He needs to get well and come home.” Francis has been a vocal advocate for peace in Ukraine, frequently condemning the ongoing war and calling for an end to the conflict.
Source:NKONKONSA.com
