Pope in 'critical condition' after suffering respiratory crisis, the Vatican says
22 February 2025, 18:44 | Updated: 23 February 2025, 06:10
The Pope is being treated for double pneumonia and chronic bronchitis and remains in hospital in a 'critical condition', the Vatican said.
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The 88-year-old has spent more than a week in hospital and had blood transfusions as he is "suffering more than yesterday".
On Saturday morning, the Vatican released a more positive statement, saying the Pope's condition was not life-threatening.
But in a further update, it added: "The Holy Father's condition continues to be critical", adding that this morning he "presented with a prolonged asthmatic respiratory crisis".
It said he needed multiple blood transfusions after medical tests revealed thrombocytopenia, which is associated with anaemia.
A high-ranking member of the church has suggested he could resign from his post if his medical issues worsen.
Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi said the Pope will “fight” to stay in post, but could step down if unable to perform his duties.
Francis' doctors delivered their first in-person update on the Pope's condition on Friday, saying that he will remain hospitalised at least all of next week.
The Pope is receiving occasional supplements of oxygen and is responding to strengthened drug therapy for pneumonia, medics added.
Francis was admitted to Rome's Gemelli hospital on February 14th after a case of bronchitis worsened.
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Doctors later diagnosed a complex respiratory infection, involving bacteria, virus and other organisms and the onset of pneumonia in both lungs on top of asthmatic bronchitis.
They prescribed "absolute rest".
As his hospital stay drags on, some of Francis' cardinals have begun responding to the obvious question that is circulating: whether Francis might resign if he becomes irreversibly sick and unable to carry on.
Francis has said he would consider it, after Pope Benedict XVI "opened the door" to popes retiring, but has shown no signs of stepping down and in fact has asserted recently that the role of pope is for life.
