The Vatican has confirmed that Pope Francis’s health remains critical, following a severe respiratory attack and blood transfusions. As the 88-year-old Pontiff battles double pneumonia, discussions over his future intensify. Is a papal resignation imminent? Read full details.
The Vatican has raised concerns over the deteriorating health of Pope Francis, confirming that the 88-year-old pontiff is battling a critical health crisis after suffering a prolonged respiratory attack that required high-flow oxygen therapy and emergency blood transfusions.
The Holy Father, who is currently receiving intensive medical care at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, has been diagnosed with double pneumonia, exacerbating fears over his ability to continue leading the 1.4 billion-strong Catholic Church. The latest updates from the Vatican indicate that his condition remains severe, despite showing slight improvements.
In an official statement released on Saturday, the Vatican Press Office confirmed that Pope Francis’s prognosis remains reserved, meaning he is not out of danger. According to the report, he experienced a severe asthmatic respiratory crisis, requiring immediate oxygen therapy.
“The Holy Father continues to be alert but is experiencing more discomfort than yesterday,” the statement read.
Additionally, daily blood tests revealed a concerning drop in platelet levels (thrombocytopenia) and anemia, prompting doctors to administer blood transfusions to stabilize his condition.
This development has sparked growing concerns about the Pope’s future, with renewed speculation about his potential resignation, similar to that of his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI.
As a direct consequence of the Pope’s declining health, the Vatican has officially canceled his usual Sunday Angelus prayer for the second consecutive week. Instead, the text of the prayer will be published online, a move signaling the gravity of his condition.
The Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, in an interview with Corriere della Sera, dismissed speculations about the Pope’s resignation, urging the public to focus on his recovery rather than engage in unnecessary political maneuvering.
“Now we are thinking about the health of the Holy Father, his recovery, his return to the Vatican—these are the only things that matter,” Parolin stated.
Despite assurances from the Vatican, the Pope’s hospitalization has intensified succession debates, with discussions over possible candidates to replace him should he step down.
Italian Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi recently hinted that Pope Francis’s retirement should not be ruled out, while Argentine Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernandez countered that there is no immediate pre-conclave atmosphere, meaning no heightened preparation for electing a new Pope at this time.
However, Pope Francis has previously joked about the power struggles within the Vatican, acknowledging that his health challenges have led some factions within the Church to quietly prepare for his succession.
As the Pope spends his ninth night at Gemelli Hospital, Catholics from around the world have gathered to offer prayers for his recovery. Outside the hospital, a group of priests and nuns were seen praying for the Holy Father’s healing.
“We are praying today for Pope Francis, and our hope is that he will recover well in the Grace of God,” said Brazilian priest Don Wellison.
Despite his critical condition, reports suggest that the Pope has remained mentally alert, spending time between his hospital bed, an armchair, and an adjacent chapel where he has been praying and conducting limited work.
Professor Sergio Alfieri, head of the Pope’s medical team at Gemelli Hospital, noted that while some improvements have been recorded, the pontiff’s condition remains severe due to his advanced age and underlying health issues.
“Is the Pope out of danger? No, the Pope is not out of danger. But is he at immediate risk of death? No, he is not,” Alfieri stated.
The 88-year-old Pontiff has endured several major health challenges in recent years, undergoing colon surgery in 2021 and a hernia operation in 2023. He also suffers from chronic knee pain and mobility issues, often relying on a wheelchair to move around.
While Pope Francis has insisted in the past that the papacy is a lifelong commitment, he has also kept the door open for potential resignation, acknowledging that his health might eventually force him to step aside.
For now, the world watches and prays, hoping that Pope Francis will recover and continue to lead the Catholic Church through its most challenging times.
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