Pope Francis' health has taken a serious turn, with reports indicating he's in critical condition following an asthmatic respiratory crisis. The Vatican confirmed the Pope required oxygen and, according to Reuters, received blood transfusions due to a low platelet count.
The Vatican released a statement, reported by the Associated Press, saying the Pope remains alert but is experiencing increased pain. While Vatican News cited medical professionals stating the Pope is not in immediate danger of death, he's not entirely out of the woods and will require hospitalization for at least the next week. Sepsis, a potentially life-threatening infection, is a significant concern for the medical team.
Fox News medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel emphasized the next 12 hours are crucial in the Pope's situation. He highlighted the Pope's existing bronchitis and airway issues as contributing factors to the current complications, stating pneumonia was a highly probable outcome given the Pope's medical history. Despite the seriousness, Dr. Siegel expressed optimism.
The Pope's absence was felt at the Holy Year celebrations on Saturday, and the Vatican announced he would also miss Sunday's public appearances, marking the second consecutive week. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed President Trump had been briefed on the Pope's condition and offered prayers for his recovery.
The 88-year-old pontiff was admitted to Gemelli Hospital on February 14th with respiratory problems initially believed to be bronchitis, later diagnosed as double pneumonia. His history of respiratory ailments, including the partial removal of a lung due to pleurisy at age 21, is well documented. In his recent autobiography, Pope Francis downplayed these health concerns, attributing them to age.
