Pope Francis is facing a challenging battle with double pneumonia, adding further complications to his ongoing respiratory treatment, the Holy See Press Office announced on Tuesday evening.
Despite the seriousness of his condition, Vatican officials assured that the Pope “remains in good spirits.”
The latest update follows his hospitalization last Friday due to bronchitis. According to the press release, “Laboratory tests, chest X-rays, and the clinical condition of the Holy Father continue to present a complex picture.”
Doctors have identified a polymicrobial infection, which developed in conjunction with bronchiectasis and asthmatic bronchitis. As a result, the Pope has been placed on a regimen of corticosteroids and antibiotics, making his therapeutic treatment more intricate.
“A follow-up chest CT scan, to which the Holy Father was subjected this afternoon—prescribed by the Vatican medical team and the medical staff of the ‘A. Gemelli’ Polyclinic Foundation—revealed the onset of bilateral pneumonia, requiring additional pharmacological therapy.”
Despite his health struggles, Pope Francis has remained engaged in spiritual activities. The statement noted that he “received the Eucharist and, throughout the day, alternated between rest, prayer, and reading. He expresses his gratitude for the support he feels at this time and kindly asks that prayers for him continue.”
Additionally, the Holy See Press Office provided a brief update on Wednesday morning, confirming that “the Pope spent a restful night, woke up, and had breakfast.”
The Vatican continues to monitor the Pope’s condition closely while emphasizing the importance of ongoing prayers for his recovery.
