Pope Francis Resting and Drinking Coffee After Sudden Respiratory Episode
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| Pope Francis greets faithful during his weekly general audience at St. Peter's Square in Vatican City |
Pope Francis had breakfast, drank coffee, and read the newspapers on Saturday morning, according to Vatican sources, following a sudden episode of respiratory difficulty that required the use of a breathing machine the previous day.
The pope experienced a quiet night without further complications and does not have a fever, the sources reported, adding that he is able to eat solid foods. However, his medical condition remains complex, and his prognosis is still uncertain after Friday's setback.
The respiratory difficulty on Friday was aggravated by vomiting, some of which the pope aspirated, the Vatican stated. Medical staff addressed the aspiration issue before placing him on mechanical ventilation. A Vatican source informed CNN that while Francis is using a mask, he is not intubated.
In its latest update on Saturday morning, the Holy See Press Office said, "The night passed peacefully, the pope is resting," and noted that the pontiff "remained alert" during Friday's incident. A spokesperson emphasized that the pope is not yet out of danger, with doctors expected to have a clearer understanding of his condition in the next 24 to 48 hours.
Pope Francis was initially admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital two weeks ago due to ongoing lung-related health problems, including bronchitis and pneumonia. This marks his fourth and longest hospital stay since becoming pope in 2013. He has faced respiratory issues for much of his life, having suffered severe pneumonia as a young man, which led to the partial removal of one lung.
The Vatican has been providing twice-daily updates on the pope's condition. On Thursday, it reported that while his health was "improving," his prognosis was still uncertain. The pope's schedule has been cleared to allow for intensive medical treatment.
Earlier on Friday, the Vatican announced that Pope Francis would not lead the Ash Wednesday service next week, marking the start of Lent, for only the second time in his 12-year papacy. A cardinal is expected to lead the service in his place.
Meanwhile, Argentinian Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernández, while praying for the pope on Friday night, said: "Certainly it is close to the Holy Father’s heart that our prayers be not only for him but also for all those who, in this particular dramatic and suffering moment of the world, bear the heavy burden of war, sickness, and poverty."
This story has been updated.