Pope Francis remains in critical condition after enduring a prolonged asthmatic respiratory crisis, according to an official statement from the Vatican on Saturday. The 88-year-old pontiff has been hospitalized for a week at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital and is also battling pneumonia and a severe lung infection.
Late Saturday, the Vatican confirmed that Francis required blood transfusions due to a significant drop in platelet levels, a complication related to anemia that could further undermine his already delicate health. This announcement marked the first time officials explicitly referred to the pope’s condition as “critical,” according to multiple reports. The Vatican’s statement emphasized that his prognosis remains “reserved,” meaning his health requires constant medical monitoring. Despite the gravity of his illness, Francis was reportedly alert and spent the day seated in an armchair, although he experienced more pain than in previous days.
The Washington Post writes that Francis has a long history of breathing problems.
Francis, who as a youth had part of one lung removed and is prone to winter bouts of bronchitis, was admitted to Rome’s Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic hospital on Valentine’s Day.
Preliminary tests indicated he had a respiratory tract infection and was running a slight fever, the Vatican said. But in subsequent updates, officials described his condition as “complex.” News that he had contracted pneumonia in both lungs, an unusual admission from an institution that’s typically cautious in describing the health of the pope, triggered more alarm.
Doctors said Friday he would remain in the hospital for at least another week, and his schedule was cleared for several days.
One senior Vatican official and Francis ally, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the pope’s health, said Francis was expected to remain hospitalized through early March, which would amount to his longest hospital stay since becoming pope in 2013.
Amid rising concerns about the pope’s health, speculation has emerged about the possibility of Pope Francis stepping down. However, the Vatican has dismissed these rumors, despite the pope previously acknowledging that he had prepared a letter of resignation for such circumstances. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s secretary of state, called this speculation “useless” and emphasized that the focus should remain on the pope’s recovery.
Despite Francis’ absence, the Vatican’s scheduled Holy Year celebrations continue. This weekend’s Mass for deacons, an important event for those on the path to priesthood, will proceed under the leadership of the event’s organizer. Meanwhile, Pope Francis will miss his traditional Sunday noon blessing for the second consecutive week.
Still, the faithful remain hopeful and united in prayer for his recovery. “Even though he’s not here physically, we know he’s with us in spirit,” said Luis Arnaldo López Quirindongo, a deacon from Ponce, Puerto Rico, attending the Holy Year gathering. “Our prayers are with him, and we feel his presence in our hearts.”
The Catholic leader made news in the United States earlier in the month when he criticized the Trump administration’s plans for mass deportations.
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