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Last Updated:February 23, 2025, 07:49 IST
Pope Francis Health: Pope Francis remained in critical condition after suffering a prolonged asthmatic respiratory crisis on Saturday, the Vatican said.
Pope Francis's current condition triggered an outpouring of prayers. (Reuters/File)
Pope Francis Health Live Updates: Pope Francis remains in critical condition after suffering a prolonged asthmatic respiratory crisis that required high flows of oxygen, according to the Vatican.
The 88-year-old pope, who remains conscious, received “high flows” of oxygen to help him breathe. He also received blood transfusions after tests showed low counts of platelets, which are needed for clotting, the Vatican said in later update.
“Holy Father continues to be alert and spent the day in an armchair although in more pain than yesterday. At the moment the prognosis is reserved,” the Vatican further said.
The pope’s condition had seemed more promising earlier in the week, with the Vatican describing him as responding “positively” to medical treatment for pneumonia on Thursday.
Doctors have warned that the main threat facing Pope Francis would be the onset of sepsis, a infection of the blood that can occur as a complication of pneumonia although there was no evidence of any sepsis yet.
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Vatican News Live Updates: How Many Times Has The Pope Been Hospitalised?
During his 12 years as leader of the Roman Catholic Church, the Argentine Pontiff has been hospitalised several times including in March 2023 when he was diagnosed with bronchitis. He also had a hernia surgery in June 2023.
Vatican News Live Updates: Why Was Pope Francis Hospitalised On Feb 14?
The pope was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital on February 14 after experiencing difficulty in breathing for several days and was subsequently diagnosed with pneumonia in both lungs.
The Vatican has described the pope’s infection as “complex,” saying it is being caused by two or more micro-organisms. Doctors earlier said he was highly vulnerable to pneumonia due to his age and frailty.
Vatican News Live Updates: What Happened To Pope Francis?
Pope Francis’ health deteriorated to critical condition after he suffered a long asthmatic respiratory crisis that required high flows of oxygen and blood transfusions, the Vatican said on late Saturday.
“The Holy Father’s condition remains critical,” the statement said. “The Pope is not out of danger.”
