Pope Francis Experiences Breathing Crisis Amid Pneumonia Battle

ROME, Italy — Pope Francis, 88, experienced an isolated breathing crisis on Friday while receiving treatment for pneumonia at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital. This incident resulted in vomiting and a temporary decline in his respiratory condition, the Vatican reported.

The Vatican’s official statement detailed that the breathing crisis triggered an episode of vomiting associated with inhalation, leading to a sudden worsening of his respiratory condition. In response, the Holy Father underwent bronchoaspiration and was placed on non-invasive mechanical ventilation.

“The Holy Father remained alert and oriented at all times,” the Vatican added, confirming that he responded well to the treatment, particularly regarding gas exchange.

A Vatican official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, indicated to Reuters that Pope Francis’s breathing issues were short-lived. The official noted that doctors would take 24 to 48 hours to assess how this episode might affect the pope’s overall clinical condition.

Pope Francis has been hospitalized for two weeks due to a complex respiratory infection, attributed to multiple microorganisms. Last weekend, he suffered another breathing attack but had appeared to show signs of improvement in the days prior, with more optimistic medical updates released by the Vatican.

Cardinal Michael Czerny, head of the Vatican’s development office, remarked in an interview with Italy’s La Stampa that Francis is recovering but “slower than we would like.”

Although the Vatican has not revealed the duration of the pope’s hospitalization, it announced on Friday that he will not be leading the annual Ash Wednesday service, marking the beginning of Lent on March 5. A senior church official will oversee the service in his place.

Pope Francis has faced several health challenges over the last two years, primarily due to his history of pleurisy, which has made him susceptible to lung infections, compounded by the fact that he had part of one lung removed as a young adult.