Pope Francis, 88, has been diagnosed with bilateral pneumonia, and his clinical picture remains “complex,” the Vatican announced on Tuesday, marking the fifth day of his hospitalization. The Vatican’s evening medical bulletin revealed that a computed tomography scan showed the appearance of bilateral pneumonia, which required subsequent pharmacological treatment. Despite this, Pope Francis is reportedly in a good mood.
The Vatican stated that the Pope’s condition is complicated by a polymicrobial infection, which occurred in the context of bronchiectasia and asthmatic bronchitis. This infection has necessitated the use of antibiotic therapy with cortisone, making the therapeutic treatment more complex. Laboratory analysis, thoracic radiography, and the Pope’s clinical condition continue to present a complex picture, according to the Vatican.
Pope Francis was admitted to Gemelli Hospital in Rome on Friday, initially due to bronchitis, and his commitments were canceled until this weekend. On Tuesday, he received the Eucharist and spent the day alternating between rest, prayer, and reading. The Supreme Pontiff has expressed appreciation for the support he has received and has asked the faithful to continue praying for him.
This hospitalization, the fourth in less than four years, has reignited the debate about the Pope’s health, particularly as the Catholic Church is set to begin its jubilee year. The jubilee year will involve a long list of events, many of which are typically chaired by the Pope. As a result, concerns about the Pope’s ability to fulfill his duties have been raised. Despite these concerns, the Vatican has not indicated any plans to slow down the Pope’s schedule.
