Vatican News Live Updates: Pope Francis Spent 'Peaceful Night' After 'Respiratory Crisis'

Pope Francis was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina and is the first Latin American to lead the Roman Catholic Church. Despite not being Italian unlike most of his predecessors, Francis’ parents were Italian immigrants.

The pope also studied philosophy and holds a master’s degree in Chemistry from the University of Buenos Aires. He taught literature and psychology at Immaculate Conception College in Santa Fé before becoming the Archbishop of Buenos Aires.

Medical experts have said the Pope’s fragility and prior health issues have escalated the risks as he battles from pneumonia and a “respiratory crisis”. “It seems it is under control, but his body is indicating signs of trouble to overcome the situation,” Dr Andrea Vinci told Reuters.

Tests have also detected a low platelet count along with respiratory issues, fuelling fears that the potential spread of the infection in his bloodstream which can result in sepsis.

Pope Francis is currently hospitalised in Rome’s Gemelli Hospital. The Gemelli, which is a Catholic teaching hospital, opened in the 1960s and is known for treating Pope John Paul II after he was shot in a failed assassination attempt in May 1981.

Made of white Carrara marble, the hospital has a large statue of Pope John Paul II in his later years, stooping and clutching a crucifix, according to BBC. In the 1980s, the Gemelli set up a special Papal suite, which is only for popes.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt on Saturday said that President Donald Trump had been briefed on the pope’s condition and was working on his own statement that will be released later.

“We’re praying for the pope,” Leavitt said. Notably, Pope Francis had been critical of Trump’s plans for deporting millions of illegal immigrants, prompting an angry response from border czar Tom Homan.

The pope’s health has fuelled speculation that he may resign, but the Vatican hierarchy shut down those rumours. Francis has said that he has written a letter of resignation that would be invoked if he were medically incapable of making such a decision.

However, the pope still remains fully conscious, alert, eating and working. The Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, said such speculation seemed “useless” and the pope’s health was a higher priority.

Doctors have warned that the main threat facing Pope Francis would be the onset of sepsis, a life-threatening infection of the blood that generally occurs as a complication of pneumonia. As of Friday, there was no evidence of sepsis before the pope’s health turned critical.

Sepsis most often starts in the lungs, skin or the urinary tract and can lead to organ failure, shock or even death. This is a dramatic drop in blood pressure that damages essential organs.

Pope Francis, who was hospitalised on February 14 for double pneumonia, plunged into a critical condition on Saturday. Pneumonia refers to an infection in the lungs caused by bacteria or fungi, causing inflammation and swelling in the small sacs of the lungs. The pope has suffered pneumonia in both his lungs.

Common symptoms of pneumonia include chest pain, difficulty breathing, fever, chills, nausea, vomiting and persistent cough. If the condition becomes severe, it can lead to life-threatening complications, including heart damage or respiratory failure.

Pope Francis has been in the hospital since February 14 and his health has deteriorated over the past 24 hours. The Vatican, for the first time, described his condition as “critical”, reporting he needed supplemental oxygen and blood transfusions.

The pope, 88, was hospitalised after experiencing difficulty breathing for several days and was subsequently diagnosed with pneumonia in both lungs.

If Pope Francis dies, his death is expected to trigger a series of tightly choreographed events that date back to Ancient Rome. First, the camerlengo (a senior Vatican official) will confirm the passing of the Pope, a position currently held by the Irish-born Cardinal Kevin Farrell.

The pope’s death will trigger nine days of mourning known as Novendiale, an Ancient Roman custom. His body will be blessed, dressed in papal vestments and exhibited in front of hundreds of thousands of people in St Peter’s Basilica for viewing. The burial will take place 4-6 days after death, possibly at Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, as per Pope Francis’ wishes.

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.

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.”