Vatican says pontiff was given non-invasive mechanical ventilation, to which he responded well and remains alert. Pope Francis has suffered an “isolated breathing crisis” which caused him to vomit, provoking a “sudden worsening” of his respiratory condition, the Vatican said.
The episode happened on Friday afternoon after the pontiff, 88, spent the morning alternating “respiratory training” with prayer in the chapel at Rome’s Gemelli hospital, where he has been battling pneumonia for two weeks. The Vatican said in its evening update that the pope inhaled the vomit, leading to the “sudden worsening” of his respiratory condition.
He was then administered “non-invasive mechanical ventilation” to help him to breathe, which had “a good response”, the Vatican added. Francis remained “alert and well-oriented” and is continuing his treatments. His doctors’ prognosis remains guarded.
A Vatican official said the breathing crisis on Friday did not last for long and that his doctors were expected to need 24-48 hours to assess how the event would affect his clinical condition. The episode came after three days in which the pontiff’s health had shown “slight” improvements, meaning his situation was no longer considered to be critical.
On Wednesday, a CT scan of the pontiff’s chest “showed a normal evolution” of the inflammation in his lungs, while the “mild kidney insufficiency”, which was diagnosed on Sunday, had “resolved”. It is unclear how long he will remain in hospital. The Vatican said earlier on Friday that Francis would not be leading the church service on 5 March to mark the beginning of Lent.
Francis was admitted to hospital on 14 February and was subsequently diagnosed with a respiratory tract infection and pneumonia in both lungs. He is prone to lung infections because he developed pleurisy as a young adult and had part of one lung removed while he was training to be a priest in his native Argentina.
Sign up to This is Europe. The most pressing stories and debates for Europeans – from identity to economics to the environment. after newsletter promotion. Nightly prayer vigils for the pope’s health are continuing to take place at St Peter’s basilica as well as in towns and cities across Italy and abroad.
Vigils have also been held outside the Gemelli, which has long been the preferred hospital for pontiffs. The pope has suffered from ill health in recent years. He was admitted to hospital in March 2023 for what was eventually diagnosed as pneumonia. He also underwent a colon operation in June 2021. The pontiff has often been seen using a wheelchair or a walking stick as a result of sciatic nerve pain and a knee problem.
