Pope Francis remains in critical condition following a “prolonged asthmatic respiratory crisis,” according to the Vatican. The 88-year-old Pontiff, who was hospitalized on February 14 for double pneumonia and chronic bronchitis, has been receiving intensive treatment at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital.
On February 22, the Vatican released a statement saying, “The Holy Father’s condition remains critical. The Pope is not out of danger.” He has required high-flow oxygen therapy and blood transfusions due to thrombocytopenia, a condition linked to low platelet levels. Despite these concerns, Pope Francis reportedly spent the day sitting in an armchair, though he was experiencing more pain than the previous day.
A further update on February 23 from Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni stated, “The night was tranquil, the Pope rested.” The Vatican has continued to provide daily updates, with past statements confirming that he has been eating breakfast and showing “slight improvement” in inflammatory markers.
While some sources close to the Pope remain doubtful about his recovery, officials maintain that he is stable. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni visited him recently, saying he was “alert and joking as always.” However, medical experts warn that his age and health complications make him highly vulnerable to further infections.
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