Pope Francis remains in critical condition amid battle with pneumonia
Pope Francis Remains in Critical but Stable Condition After CT Scan
Pope Francis is currently in critical but stable condition after undergoing a CT scan on Tuesday, according to an announcement from the Vatican. The 88-year-old pontiff returned to work in the evening, even making a phone call to the parish priest of Gaza. He expressed gratitude for the outpouring of prayers for his health from the people of God.
The Vatican released a statement translated from Italian, saying, “The Holy Father’s condition remains critical, but stable. No acute respiratory episodes have occurred, and the hemodynamic parameters continue to be stable.” The statement continued, “In the evening, he underwent a scheduled control CT scan for radiological monitoring of bilateral pneumonia. The prognosis remains reserved. In the morning, after receiving the Eucharist, he resumed work.”
Francis was admitted to the hospital on February 14 after a week-long battle with bronchitis worsened. Doctors diagnosed him with a complex viral, bacterial, and fungal respiratory tract infection, followed by pneumonia in both lungs. Despite his health challenges, the Pope has remained resilient.
Late Sunday, doctors revealed that blood tests showed early signs of slight kidney insufficiency, but it was under control. While Francis remains in critical condition, he has not experienced any further respiratory crises since Saturday evening.
The Pope, who had part of one lung removed earlier in life, is currently receiving high flows of supplemental oxygen and underwent two blood transfusions on Sunday to boost his hemoglobin levels. Doctors have described his prognosis as guarded.
Despite his health struggles, Francis has shown signs of alertness and responsiveness. He even attended Mass on Sunday. However, doctors caution that his condition remains touch-and-go due to his age, fragility, and pre-existing lung disease. The primary concern is the development of sepsis, a severe blood infection that can arise as a complication of pneumonia.
Tuesday marks the 11th day of Francis’ hospitalization, surpassing the longest stay of his papacy, which occurred in 2021 when he had a portion of his colon removed. Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York acknowledged the gravity of the situation, stating that the Catholic faithful are united “at the bedside of a dying father.”
As the world waits for updates on Pope Francis’s health, the Vatican continues to monitor his condition closely. The entire Catholic community remains in prayer for his swift recovery.
*This article was rewritten based on the original content provided by Fox News, with a focus on maintaining key points and integrating seamlessly into a WordPress platform.*
